Columbia P Parker Thome will play next year at Vanderbilt as a graduate transfer

At least for 2018, Vanderbilt has found its replacement for departed punter Sam Loy.

Parker Thome announced early Wednesday morning that he would transfer to Vanderbilt for his final year of eligibility. Thome was a First Team All-Ivy League punter at Columbia in 2017, but thanks to Ivy League rules, he was out of eligibility at Columbia.

That opened up the possibility of a graduate transfer, and Thome will likely step in as Vanderbilt’s starting punter in 2018. According to his bio on Columbia’s website, Thome ranked 11th nationally in FCS with a 42.9 yard punting average in 2017, his only season as Columbia’s starting punter. He placed 23 of his 50 punts on the season inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, and he had a long of 66 yards at Dartmouth on October 21. The Hortonville, Wisconsin, native also served as the holder in 2014 and 2015, and was named to the Dean’s List.