For most teams, predicting who will be the stats leader involving categories like passing and rushing is a pretty simple process.

The starting quarterback will lead the team in touchdown passes, passing yards, interceptions thrown and the like. So we won’t focus too much time on trying to predict that today, though in Vanderbilt’s case, it isn’t exactly settled who will lead the way.

Likewise, we wouldn’t be going out on much of a limb if we predicted that RB Ralph Webb will lead the team in rushing yards or kick-return specialist Darrius Sims will lead team in kickoff returns.

Instead, we will take a look at some of the less predictable numbers and highlights some candidates to be a factor in other traditional statistics for the Commodores in 2015.

TACKLES MACHINE – Nigel Bowden

Some guys are thought to be good potential middle linebackers because they have a certain physique. Others project that way because of their smarts and instincts as a de facto leader of the defense from the middle of the field. And still yet, others end up there because of their ability to wrap up and make a tackle.

Have you ever have that moment where you see a guy take the field that exhibits all of those qualities at once? It is quite satisfying to watch.

I had that moment watching Nigel Bowden play middle linebacker as a redshirt freshman last season. The kid looks like a middle linebacker, leads like a middle linebacker and hits like a middle linebacker.

Bowden led the Commodores with 78 tackles last season in spite of missing some time. I get the feeling that won’t be the last time we see his name among the team’s top tacklers.

The 2015 prediction: A team-high 95 tackles.

Mr. “Meet me in the backfield” – Stephen Weatherly

Tackles for loss, sacks, and quarterback pressures. That’s pretty much the job of an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.

And lucky for Vanderbilt, Stephen Weatherly showed he was the perfect fit for that role in 2014. In his first season away from being a 4-3 defensive end, Weatherly looked awfully comfortable in the new scheme, leading the Commodores in both sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (12.5).

So while it may not seem like going out on much of a limb to predict that he will again lead Vanderbilt in each of those categories this season, I do want to point out the potential for growth in the outside linebacker role in Year 2 of Derek Mason’s scheme.

My prediction is that Weatherly turns into a All-SEC performer before his career is through, and perhaps as soon as this season.

The 2015 prediction: 7 sacks, 14 tackles for loss.

The offensive savior (maybe) – Trent Sherfield

When much of the 2014 recruiting class was fleeing for other programs following James Franklin’s departure, WR Trent Sherfield, who was one of the more highly-rated players in the class, was one of the few that stood firm in his decision to come to Vanderbilt.

Commodores fans remember that, and it shows in the way his name is brought up in conversation about who could be the next big thing at receiver for Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt has been hurting for playmakers on the outside since the graduation of WR Jordan Matthews following the 2013 season, and Sherfield might just be that next big-play receiver for the Commodores.

C.J. Duncan, who led the Commodores wide receivers with 441 receiving yards last season, was lost for the 2015 season after sustaining a lower-leg injury during fall camp.

That should open things up for Sherfield to lead the Commodores receiving corp this season in both receptions and receiving yards.

The 2015 prediction: 650 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns.