Aug. 14, 2007
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Preseason Central | Buy Season Tickets | Nashville Night vs. Richmond
Without overstating the obvious, Vanderbilt’s chances for more team success substantially improve with the continued development of its signal calling corps led by Chris Nickson (6-1, 210, R-Jr.). The group took initial steps in spring drills, with Johnson telling SEC writers that the position was one of the most improved on the team.
Nickson produced an array of remarkable individual performances as a first-year starter in 2006. A threat with his arm and legs, Nickson guided the Commodores to a huge victory at Georgia, and generally put together a solid campaign. As a passer, he threw for 2,085 yards and 15 touchdowns while hitting 55 percent of his attempts. As a rusher, Nickson was the team leader with 694 yards and nine scores, both tops among all SEC quarterbacks. His 2,779-yard accumulation in total offense has been bettered by just three quarterbacks in Vanderbilt history.
The coaches expect Nickson’s leadership and mental approach to the game to blossom this season. The staff will also look for Nickson to display better accuracy with medium range passing routes and produce greater efficiency in short yardage and red-zone situations.
The quarterback competition features two others with experience from a year ago in Mackenzi Adams (6-2, 215, R-So.), Richard Kovalcheck (6-2, 220, R-Sr.), untested redshirt freshman Jared Funk (6-2, 195) and highly touted freshman Larry Smith (6-2, 200).
One of the Commodores’ top athletes, Adams looked good in limited duty last year, showing an ability to manage the offense while producing yards equally with his arm and legs. Kovalcheck spent his first year on campus last year after transferring from the University of Arizona where he started games over portions of two varsity seasons. He is the team’s best drop-back passing option. In spring drills, Funk displayed plenty of upside, including perhaps the strongest arm of the group. Smith comes in off a remarkable prep career, but is not expected to challenge the veterans for playing time in 2007.
