NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Commodores pushed through an intense 90-minute practice late Thursday, their last in full pads until the team stages its first preseason scrimmage this Saturday.
The Commodores’ high-energy workout Thursday focused on conditioning, individual and team drills, and expanding schemes in all three areas of the game.
Head coach Derek Mason and the Commodores will return to the John Rich Practice Facility in limited gear Friday, putting in final preparations for the scrimmage on Saturday.
Highlights from Thursday’s Workout
Head coach Derek Mason put the Commodores through two lengthy 11-on-11 team sessions.
Here’s some of the top individual plays:
• Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Sr., RB) burst off right tackle, then eluded two defenders, for a first-down rush.
• Dayo Odeyingbo (Jr., DE) shed a block to register a quarterback sack, then later forced an incompletion by pressuring the quarterback.
• Allan George (R-So., CB) posted the first defensive turnover, leaping high to intercept a deep pass along the sideline.
• Elijah McAllister (R-Fr., OLB) broke through the offensive line to stop Jamauri Wakefield (R-Jr., RB) for a 2-yard loss.
• On a deep crossing pattern, Jared Pinkney (R-Sr., TE) made a diving catch for 20 yards.
• Keyon Brooks (Fr., RB) showed excellent speed, breaking an off-tackle rush for long yardage.
• Gabe Jeudy (Fr., CB) displayed quickness in coverage, cutting on front of a would-be receiver for the deflection.
• Lorenzo Surgers (R-Fr., DE) eluded a blocker, then stuffed Brooks for a 2-yard loss
• Under pressure from Kenny Hebert (R-Jr., OLB), Deuce Wallace (R-Jr., QB) found Wakefield for a first-down throw.
NFL Scouts at Practice
Numerous NFL scouts have watched Vanderbilt’s talented senior class early in the camp.
Personnel from the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills were in attendance Thursday. The Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks and Saints were represented during the team’s full-pad session on Tuesday.
New Uniform Reveal Coming at Dore Jam this Saturday
Dore Jam, on tap this Saturday on campus, will feature the unveiling of Vanderbilt’s newest game-day uniform. The reveal will take place this Saturday at 4 p.m., one hour after doors open to the public. It will mark the Commodores’ first new design since the Deep Water uniforms were introduced in 2015.
Dore Jam is open from 3-5 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Center located on campus between 25th Avenue South and Natchez Trace. For the third straight year, the main entrance will be located off Children’s Way. Admission and parking (surface lots across Natchez Trace from the track complex) are free of charge.
Annually, Dore Jam is one of the top activities on the preseason calendar for Commodore fans, with thousands attending to get autographs from head coach Derek Mason and their favorite Vanderbilt student-athletes and enjoy an array of family activities.
The first 2,000 fans entering Dore Jam can create their own t-shirt designs at a station operated by Hip Hues. The Nashville-based apparel company founded by Vanderbilt graduate Sondra Noble.
