Jan. 27, 2015
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Vanderbilt will open its earliest spring practices in memory on Monday, Feb. 16, less than two weeks removed from National Signing Day.
Head Coach Derek Mason will welcome 78 returnees for the first of 15 spring drills that will lead to the Black & Gold Spring Game on Saturday, March 21.
Mason is introducing additional changes this spring. Excluding the featured Black & Gold Spring Game, which is expected to kick off at 1 p.m. CT in Vanderbilt Stadium, the Commodores will hold early morning practices prior to classes for the first time. Mason will start weekday practices at 7:15 a.m. Admission to the spring game will be free.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the practice field. These guys have a great deal to accomplish this spring as we look to reach our full potential as a football team,” Mason said.
Mason has more flexibility to adjust with practice schedules than previous Commodore head coaches due to the indoor practice facility which opened 14 months ago near the team’s outdoor practice fields.
“Weather shouldn’t impact our ability to practice this winter because of the indoor facility. Without it, starting in mid-February outdoors isn’t a viable option,” Mason said. “I also like the idea of practicing before classes and I think our players are really going to enjoy it. I expect the schedule will help us maximize what we want to get done this spring.”
Duke is the only team from a power conference expected to start spring drills before the Commodores.
Mason’s second Vanderbilt squad will feature 42 letterwinners and 20 total starters from a year ago.
Commodore offensive players will learn a new scheme under first-year coordinator Andy Ludwig, who joins Vanderbilt after two successful seasons as coordinator at the University of Wisconsin. The unit features three quarterbacks who earned starts last year, two leading rushers, three top receivers and four starting linemen.
Mason will coordinate the Commodore defense, which returns its top six tacklers from a year ago, including its entire secondary and three starting linebacker.
Vanderbilt opens the 2015 schedule against Western Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Vanderbilt Stadium. Season tickets are on sale at vucommodores.com or by calling (615) 322-GOLD (4653).
