The emergence of Vanderbilt over the past two seasons has taken place in harmony with the emergence of quarterback Jordan Rodgers under center. With Jordan Rodgers’ eligibility clock expiring at the end of this season, a new arm will need to step forward to continue the program’s growing success.
Chad Kanoff maintains that he is considering no schools but Vanderbilt.
Two good options are on campus already in freshman Patton Robinette and junior Austyn Carta-Samuels but the future looks bright at the position as well, particularly when it comes to the recent play of 2013 Vanderbilt commit Chad Kanoff out of Studio City (Calif.) Harvard-Westlake.
Kanoff quarterbacked a mediocre 5-5 team last year as a junior but still put up good numbers statistically. His numbers through the first six games of 2012 are no less impressive but the number under the win column is what has really separated this season from last.
His team has started out 5-1 under new head coach Scot Ruggles (Ruggles served as the offensive coordinator in 2011) and Kanoff is having a near perfect season to date. The 6-4, 190-pounder is completing 62.3 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,981 yards and 26 touchdowns to date. His interception count is also sitting at the measly total of two.
Even with all his success, Kanoff is quick to point to the areas that need improvement.
“We’re having a good year so far,” Kanoff said. “There’s still some things I’ve got to work on for sure. I’ve got to make sure I stand tall in the pocket and make sure I stay in the pocket a little bit longer.”
With nine returning starters on offense, Kanoff has had plenty of help in this year’s success. One of those players that has helped is the player snapping him the football, Thomas Oser. Oser – a three-star offensive lineman – is strongly considering Vanderbilt as well and Kanoff has been doing his part to help in his recruitment.
“He’s awesome,” Kanoff said of his center. “The center position is locked up and we’ve got a really good O-line this year. [Oser] is doing a great job leading those guys. I talk to him about Vanderbilt a lot. He’s got to do what’s best for him regardless of what I say though.”
Both Oser and Kanoff are likely going to wait until after the season is complete before they take their official visits to Vanderbilt due to the travel and their bye week schedule. But while Kanoff may not be able to see the Commodores play in person this fall, he has watched plenty of Vanderbilt on TV and has stayed in steady contact with quarterback coach Ricky Rahne.
“I’ve watched most of their games,” he said. “I record all of them. They’ve been really good. It’s fun to watch them and it’s cool. They look like they’ve got a great atmosphere at their home games.”
While Vanderbilt tries to continue its ascent in the rugged SEC, Kanoff is trying to do the same out west.
“The schedule gets progressively harder each game,” said the quarterback. “We’re in league play now and to get into the playoffs we have to win three league game and our league is tough.”
- Barton Simmons
- National Recruiting Analyst - 247Sports