[Tuck4Bama]

It's rare for a freshman to come into a Southeastern Conference football program and be able to contribute immediately.

Last season, eight first-year players got on the field for Vanderbilt. Five of them filled what are considered key roles — either as a starter or seeing significant time off the bench.

The bulk of the Commodore rookies redshirted last season, getting an additional year to acclimate themselves to college life, on and off the field.

A year later, a handful of those players appear to be ready to be contributors in their own right as the team readies for Saturday's season opener against Richmond.

Vandy begins to enjoy benefits of redshirts