Oct. 20, 2010
Vanderbilt’s most veteran wide receiver, redshirt senior Turner Wimberly has been counted on to fill a leadership role among the Commodores’ young wide receiver unit. Wimberly graduated in May with a degree in human and organizational development and is currently working toward his master’s degree in organizational leadership. The Austin, Texas, native opened the season as a starter and hauled in a career-long 37-yard reception against Northwestern.
On playing two positions before finding a home at wide receiver
When I came in I was in between a few different positions. Some people wanted me to play safety and I wanted to have a chance to play quarterback. I played safety in training camp, hurt my shoulder and moved to quarterback and I couldn’t throw because of my shoulder, so I actually never took any snaps at quarterback. After that first year I didn’t really have a position, so in the spring I got moved to wide receiver.
On the challenges of moving to wide receiver
I’d played maybe five snaps of wide receiver my entire life before I got here. It took a while to get my bearings and learn how to run routes. If you broke out the tape of me first learning to play wide receiver, it would be pretty ugly compared to what I look like now. I look like two different players. It’s been interesting to learn a whole new position in college.
On the transition period of learning a new position
It was a real frustrating time. I went to play wide receiver and all these guys such as Earl Bennett had been playing the position for years and I had no idea what I was doing. At first I didn’t feel like I belonged, but as time moved along I got better and better and began to realize I could play wide receiver in the SEC.
On how his time as a high school quarterback helps him at wide receiver
I think it helps with recognizing coverage and seeing the whole defense. A lot of times in high school receivers don’t have to worry about what the coverage is and what the defense is doing.
On the process of becoming a starter at the position
My redshirt freshman year I didn’t even travel. I got hurt in camp and I think I was one of the few people in my grade that wasn’t traveling. Because I was hurt I didn’t make special teams and didn’t crack the two-deep at wide receiver. The next year I got to play some, and as a junior I made my first start. Looking back at how far I’ve come in that period of time is pretty impressive.
On helping younger players learn the position
I think a lot of times it is a little harder for a coach to explain something to a player than it is for another player to explain something to them. Sometimes it is easier for me to teach it to someone since I am not that far removed from learning it. If players don’t understand what coach is saying, I can explain it to them in a different way that they get. I remember that some of the things (wide receiver) Coach (Charlie) Fisher was telling me to do when I first moved to wide receiver sounded impossible. Once you get it, the light comes on.
