Today, we get to the point of the position reviews where I am completely out of my depth. A lot of these previews are conjecture based on projecting improvement from returning players (sometimes without them playing serious, competitive snaps for Vanderbilt), impact from incoming transfers, and public reports from spring ball and fall camp. They are even more hit or miss than my in-season work when I get to watch the team with my own eyes. The next two previews, which you might have noticed were
delayed in part because I dread doing them a disservice, are both over the offensive line. Today, we get into the interior OL with the projected guards and centers.
As a reminder, Vanderbilt under the Kill/Beck offense with Chris Klenakis as OL coach uses Quick and Strong for the guard and tackle designations, not the more common left and right. The Commodores use the relative strengths and weaknesses of the linemen as part of the scheme. Typically, the Strong side options are the better run blockers while the Quick side options are the more athletic ones who can pull or get out on the edges, both for running plays or screens. Of course, tendencies are made to be broken. Sometimes with explosive results.
The Expected Starters
Lyndon Cooper transferred in to Vanderbilt after 3 years at NC State then 2 years at Pittsburgh. He had surgery in 2021, so I guess that year was a medical redshirt with 2022 as his standard redshirt under the previous eligibility rules. His time at Pitt saw him start 12 games in 2024 then 13 in 2025. The only game he did not start was missed entirely with injury.
His work in 2024 had him named to the 2025 Rimington Award watch list, which he was again named to for 2026. Cooper will be the anchor at the center of Vanderbilt’s offensive line. His experience will be key in helping a first-time starter at QB, like a true freshman, set protections and feel comfortable. The offensive line only returns one starter, too, so experience in the middle is key to pulling the unit together.
That one returning starter is Cade McConnell. He came to Vanderbilt for 2024 after two seasons not playing at Minnesota. He played in all 12 games in 2024 but only was on the field for 61 offensive snaps with 22 at center. Then McConnell solidified his role in 2025 as the Quick Guard. His claim to fame was single-handedly demolishing 2 LSU defensive linemen on one play.
The Returning Backups
The Commodores have two backup guards returning and a third-string center who saw action in 4 games on special teams. Kevo Wesley started as a defensive lineman and has bounced back and forth a couple of times. He saw the field as a defender in 2022 then was on the offensive line in 2023 and 2024 before missing 2025 with injury. Wesley actually started 5 games and rotated between Quick and Strong guard for 371 offensive snaps. He will be battling to lock down the Strong Guard spot this fall.
With Wesley unavailable, Gunner Givens played 183 snaps at guard in 2025 after 3 seasons at Virginia Tech. He also started as a defensive lineman before moving sides of the ball. He was on the Hokies’ DL for his first two seasons then played 2 games on the OL in 2024. He played in all 13 games for Vanderbilt in 2025. Clearly, Clark Lea and Chris Klenakis like aggressive maulers at guard.
Keegan Weschler is the expected backup to Cooper at center. He is not challenging for a starting role, but he is commonly cited as a good commander of the OL by those privy to practices. Weschler cannot replace Cooper’s ability, but the offensive line should not implode if he is called into action. As a former walk-on, that is pretty high praise behind a Rimington Award watchlist caliber player.
The Transfers
The two transfer portal additions come from very different places. Micah DeBose spent his freshman season at Alabama with one game played (Eastern Illinois) while Michael Smith is another converted defensive lineman who joined from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. DeBose was the 11 IOL according to 247’s Composite. Smith had no profile at all on 247 coming out of high school. He did receive a 247 JUCO ranking as the 12th best OT, but they list him as an IOL on Vanderbilt’s roster.
DeBose will likely be a strong contender for that Strong Guard spot. He was a highly respected recruit, and his 6’5” 335 pound frame could certainly be the type of body-mover the Commodores need inside. Smith is also an impressive physical specimen at 6’6” and 330 pounds. He has played more college football, even if it was at the JUCO level, but I also have never watched a JUCO football game in my life. Get ready for this to be repeated, but we will all find out how much these two contribute together once the ball gets snapped on September 5th. Unless you want to pay for insider intel. Or maybe when Vanderbilt releases a depth chart 4 days before kickoff.
The Freshmen
Vanderbilt added three freshmen that will try to contribute on the offensive line, even if they cannot break in this season. I will stay with using 247’s Composite ranking unless otherwise noted for the freshmen. Pulelei’ite Primus ranked 58th among IOL, and George Williams-Haseotes was listed at 114. Both are solid 3-star recruits with Primus getting close to 4* territory. Nate Fleming is another “convert a defensive lineman” project who was 167th at his former position.
Primus has both the strong name and measurables (6’4” and 355 pounds, which is up 10 pounds from his recruiting profile weight) to make a case for some early playing time. I would be very surprised if he forces his way into the starting lineup or even plays a ton of snaps. Williams-Haseotes and Fleming are stout human beings but still probably not ready for a real SEC offensive line. They may have gotten onto some Vanderbilt OLs of the past decade where we lagged behind the league in size. They are both listed at 6’3”, but Williams-Haseotes has a 10-pound weight lead at 295 pounds. The question for weight, especially with freshmen, is whether it is “good” weight or if they just have a lot of soft mass to move.
Veteran Depth…
The last two members of this group are Max Fisher and Ted Gregoire. Fisher played one season at D-III Trinity in San Antonio, Texas where he appeared in three contests. He is from MBA here in Nashville and was twice all-state in wrestling. Fisher is the brother of Vanderbilt FB/TE Gabe Fisher, so it would be cool to see them get a combo block against an Austin Peay or Delaware. Gregoire was a 3* DL recruit that Vanderbilt switched to OL. He did not play as a freshman in 2023 but did see action in 2024 against Alcorn State. I do not believe he played at all in 2025. If either of them contributes, it is almost certainly special teams or garbage time.
Final Verdict
Two out of three spots here have locked down starters. Cooper and McConnell should be good, if not great, pieces. The problem with OL play is that it is a “weak link” equation. You are only as good as your weakest link. Between Wesley, Givens, and DeBose, I think they will have a competent third starter. The depth should be okay here at worst. Klenakis alongside Beck/Kill may have some mix-and-match options, too, where they use different skillsets situationally to either create mismatches or hide tendencies.
