Brandon Vandenburg: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Two Vanderbilt University football players were convicted Tuesday of raping a former student inside a dorm room in 2013. One of the players is Brandon Vandenburg, a Californian who was considered a top recruit of his 2013 signing class, according to WLTX.com. Cory Batey was also convicted on Tuesday.

The Tennessean reported that Vandenburg was convicted on nine counts that included aggravated rape, aggravated sexual battery and unlawful photography.

Here’s what you need to know about Vandenburg:


1. He Was Accused Of Raping an Unconscious Woman in His Dorm Room

Vandenburg and three other Vanderbilt football players have been indicted on charges of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery. The the young athletes allegedly raped an unconscious woman in Vandenburg’s dorm room at the university on June 23. According to WLTX.com, police were alerted to the crime after examining security camera footage for an unrelated crime. Police have called the evidence “compelling” and “unsettling.”

The four players have been suspended from the university “effective immediately, pending further investigation and/or a hearing,” and cannot return to the university campus “without explicit permission.”

“The well-being of our students is of paramount concern to us, and we will not tolerate any actions that threaten safety and security,” said Vanderbilt vice chancellor for public affairs Beth Fortune.

“This is an open and very much active investigation,” said Don Aaron, spokesman for the Nashville Police Department.


2. He Was a Top Tight End Recruit For Vanderbilt

Brandon Vandenburg Highlights High School Vanderbilt Player Rape

Brandon Vandenburg has been talked about as one of the nation’s top junior-college recruits. According to the Tennessean, Vandenburg signed with Vanderbilt University out of college, when he attended the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California in February. He was also expected to compete for a started position on the team this season.


3. Vandenburg Attended Xavier College Prep High School & College of the Desert

Vandenburg attended the Xavier College Preparatory School in Phoenix, AZ, according to USDToreros.com. He was a four-year varsity letterman in football, where he lpayed under head coach Darrel Lewis. He broke the Desert Valley League record for most receiving yards with 22 catches and 88 defensive tackles in his senior year. Vandenburg was also named the league’s top receiver in his junior year, with 17 catches and 64 tackles. He also recorded 55 tackles in his sophomore year.

To top that off, he also was a three-year varsity letterman in basketball not to mention being a one-year varsity letterman in both baseball and track & field.


4. Vandenburg Was An Honors Student

Vandenburg briefly attended the University of San Diego, where his academic success earned him a spot as an honors student.


5. His Parents Are Former Athletes

Brandon Vandenburg Highlights High School Vanderbilt Player Rape

Brandon’s parents, Rod and Shawna Vandenburg, are both former atheletes. Rod is a former professional tennis player. Shawna played college basketball.