NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The ability of Vanderbilt’s front-line workers to make plays in 2021 will be pivotal to the success of the Dores on defense. The promising narrative there is that Vandy has shown during two weeks of fall camp that the defensive line has the capability to be a strength on that side of the ball – and at times to be downright dominant.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has had a healthy rotation of playmakers rotating along the line of scrimmage as the former NFL assistant continues to mold the foundation of his unit.
“We train like heck to be out here doing what we’re able to do,” defensive tackle Daevion Davis said Saturday after the team’s first scrimmage of the preseason. “We all take it really serious and there’s a time to lock in and we’re just tuning into that time and coming out here to execute.”
Davis has become the lynchpin of the Vandy defensive line with his athleticism, leadership and energy. Malik Langham, who began his career at Florida, and Nate Clifton, who played prep ball at Brentwood Academy, have oftentimes flanked the 6-foot-2, 285-pound Davis in Minter’s 3-4 alignment.
Raashaan Wilkins, Michael Spencer and Marcus Bradley have been putting their hands in the ground inside the two-deep rotation as well.
On the edges, as part of Minter’s crafty and complex scheme, have been a mixture of linemen and linebackers playing a hybrid form of the defensive end position poised to pressure quarterbacks and stop tailbacks behind the line of scrimmage. That spot can also be asked to drop into shallow coverage in an effort to disrupt passing lanes or confuse the quarterbacks.
Elijah McAllister, De’Rickey Wright, Alex Williams, Lorenza Surgers and Michael Owusu are a few of the Commodores who have occupied that spot thus far.
“I think those guys have worked very hard,” Vanderbilt defensive ends coach Jovan Haye. “It’s a D-line right now that is learning on how to push through the pain, the hot days, being able to fight, being able to know our assignments, alignments and play as one.
“We’ve come a long way. Guys are truly, truly having fun. It’s very exciting to watch.”
Scrimmage No. 2 Coming Up
Vanderbilt will hold its second scrimmage of the preseason starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. The session is closed to the public.
Vandy head coach Clark Lea said he’ll be looking for marked improvement from an offensive unit that struggled in the team’s first scrimmage outing a week ago.
“I’ve seen through the week there’s been improvements in protection. There’s been tempo improvements. I think just just the functional, organizational – signals coming in, call being made,” Lea said. “We got to go make plays. That was what was missing in the first scrimmage.
“When we got drives started we either drop balls or had penalties that killed them. We’re going to maintain focus on the things that we can control. And let’s get some rhythm going and allow for the playmakers to step up when we have big situations.”
After Saturday’s scrimmage, the Commodores will take part in Dore Jam beginning at 3 p.m. at Vanderbilt Stadium.
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.
