HOOVER, Ala. -- For weeks, the identities of four dismissed Vanderbilt football players who are subjects of an investigation into a possible sex crime remained unknown. But with Southeastern Conference Media Days looming this week, and Commodores head coach James Franklin set to represent the school on Thursday in front of hundreds of media members, the school has revealed the players' names.
Brandon Banks, Cory Batey, Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie and Brandon Vandenburg are no longer with the team. None had yet played for the Commodores as Banks, McKenzie and Batey redshirted as freshmen last season. Vandenburg was a junior college transfer from College of the Desert (Calif.). The players were dismissed from school June 29.
Franklin issued a statement through the school Monday.
The release of the names will no doubt help Franklin and the three players chosen to represent VU at SECMD -- defensive back Andre Hal, offensive lineman Wesley Johnson and wide receiver Jordan Matthews -- navigate what is sure to be a myriad of questions about the dismissals. Franklin and his players, in fact, likely will not comment at all given that the investigation remains open.
The Vanderbilt media guide distributed at Media Days Tuesday included the players because it was pre-printed, though a handout of an updated roster, and Vandy's online roster, omits the players.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
