Vanderbilt Defense Reinvented | College Basketball News

College Basketball News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 30, 2026 · 1m

Vanderbilt’s defense is getting a major upgrade this season as they kick off preseason practices August 5th, with a laser focus on turning last year’s defensive struggles into a powerhouse. New transfers like safety Ricardo Jones—six interceptions last year—and returning standout CJ Heard, who needs to sharpen his tackling, are leading the charge. German standout Issa Ouattara is eager to rebound from injury, while Brian Allen Jr. brings Big Ten grit for a bigger role. And rookie safety Carson Lawrence, mostly on special teams last year, is primed to prove he’s ready for the spotlight. This…