Instant Impact: Newest Commodores who Could Contribute Immediately

As the new season approaches, we jump back into the recruiting class of 2020 to see which players have the best chance to play this season and impact the Commodores.

With the dawn of every new season, expectations and hopes are high for great things in the coming year, and that's no different for the Vanderbilt Commodores and their fans. 

Though tempered by history, Commodore fans still want to believe that things will improve in 2020, and there are some new faces in black & gold this time that should at least have the most cynical fans amongst you thinking of their potential. 

While we profiled each recruit shortly after National Signing Day, this seemed like the time to preview the players who have the potential to step in and contribute now, despite their young age and inexperience on the collegiate level. 

POTENTIAL INSTANT IMPACT FRESHMEN

Donovan Kaufman: The Metairie, La. native, joins the Commodores as one of their top-rated additions, including a four-start ranking, according to Rivals.com.

What do those outside the Commodores program think of Kaufman as a player and his potential instant impact?

Athlon Sports SEC preview magazine listed the 5'10" 195-pound true freshman as the No.2 free-safety in their depth chart projections. 

Kaufman is a supremely athletic player with excellent ball skills and an understanding of the game. It should come as no surprise to anyone if this freshman finds the field early and often this season. He's that talented.   

POTENTIAL IMPACT FRESHMEN

De'Ricky Wright: The 6'4" 220-pound athlete can play multiple positions, and is the kind of physical talent that will get a long look from head coach Derek Mason and both coordinators. 

The biggest question seems which side of the ball he will ultimately end up on as either a safety or hybrid type player on defense or a massive target as a receiver on offense. 

A four-star prospect, according to ESPN, the Gadsden, Ala. native has the skill set to step in and provide an impact somewhere this season for the Commodores. 

Rocko Griffin: Speed can't be taught or coaches; you either have it or you don't, and Griffin does, in spades. 

The Guyton, Ga. native provides a different dimension with his 10.6 100 meter speed, which makes him the fastest member of the Commodores backfield. Griffin is not the biggest (5'9" 187), but that doesn't matter when he is in space with the ball in hand. 

Griffin is the type of speed player coordinators like to design specific plays around to use their skills as a weapon. 

He likely won't be a significant player in carrying the bulk of the load as a runner, but he should see the field and be a threat when there. 

Ken Seals and Michael Wright:  These two freshmen quarterbacks will be part of the four-way battle to line up behind center this season. It is a battle that might go on well into the season as offensive coordinator Todd Fitch attempts to find the player best suited to lead his offense.      

Seals is a confident player with passing skills and comes from the state of Texas, where he was heavily recruited. 

Wright comes from the football hotbed of Atlanta and, like Griffin, has electric speed and elusiveness. That's an attractive combination for a quarterback to have that makes him a weapon when plays break down. 

Both these players, along with Danny Clark and Jeremy Moussa, will battle, but don't be surprised if one or both these freshmen see the field. It would also not surprise to see one redshirt this season as well since depth is not an issue as it was last season.