Vanderbilt football erupted offensively in its 70-21 win over Georgia State.
Several of Vanderbilt’s top players shined in the game, including Diego Pavia (245 passing yards and 86 rushing yards) and Eli Stowers (five catches for 73 yards).
But Pavia and Stowers are already known contributors. A blowout like the Commodores (4-0) had against the Panthers gives the chance for several more players to get in the game who don’t normally play a lot. Pavia, for instance, left the game early in the third quarter, giving way to Blaze Berlowitz, Drew Dickey and Whit Muschamp.
Here are three under-the-radar players who stood out in the win and could be contributors going forward:
AJ Newberry
Newberry was Vanderbilt’s No. 2 receiver a season ago but suffered an injury at the end of the season that cost him most of the offseason.
In the first three games, Newberry had rushed just four times for zero yards and had one catch for seven yards. Newberry’s lack of time so far has been due to several factors. There was his missed time in the preseason and the emergence of Makhilyn Young. A large part of Newberry’s role in 2024 was in the passing game, but the Commodores have seen other receiving options emerge.
But against Georgia State, Newberry had four rushes for 17 yards and two touchdowns. He was the only player on the team to score multiple touchdowns. Perhaps Vanderbilt has found his niche on this roster as a red zone threat who excels in short yardage.
Kayleb Barnett
Barnett’s biggest highlight was a play he didn’t make. Despite having two defenders on him, Barnett was streaking deep downfield and had both defensive backs beat for a potential walk-in touchdown. But Diego Pavia overthrew him in one of his rare miscues.
Barnett is tiny for the SEC — he’s listed at just 155 pounds. But he’s already shown his speed is impactful. He was expected to redshirt coming into the season, but that’s unlikely now as he’s already played in all four games.
Even without Barnett adding more weight this season, Vanderbilt has found ways to use him, whether it’s on jet sweeps, slant plays and the occasional downfield shot. Don’t be surprised if he makes a big play this season.
Jordan Matthews
Matthews, a transfer from Tennessee, has been a reserve corner so far this season who’s mostly played a limited role.
But he shined against Georgia State, recording four tackles (all solo) and forcing a fumble. In three previous games, he only had one tackle and forced one fumble.
Matthews is highly unlikely to overtake the corners in front of him − players like Kolbey Taylor, Martel Hight, Marlon Jones and Jaylin Lackey – for a regular role. But if Matthews can carve out a role in the rotation, that will only further build the Commodores’ depth.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Three players who raised stock for Vanderbilt football vs Georgia State
