Commodore Players Set to Open Preseason Camp Today

Commodore Players Set to Open Preseason Camp Today

8/8/2005

Vanderbilt Fans Invited to the Team’s First Three Practices

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Forty-five returning letter winners and more than 30 newcomers are expected to participate in the first practice of Vanderbilt’s preseason camp Monday evening on the Nashville campus.

Thirteen starters from the 2004 campaign, including a pair of preseason All-Southeastern Conference selections, will be among the 103 prospects hoping to make a positive showing during the fourth camp directed by Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson.

The first three Vanderbilt preseason practices – Monday through Wednesday – are open to Commodore followers. Each of the practices open to the public start at 6:15 p.m.

This evening, the Commodores are scheduled to make their first appearance on the John Rich Practice Facility. The team’s first full-pad session and the start of two-a-day sessions are likely to begin later this week.

The Commodores’ official Fan Day activity, Dore Jam IV, is scheduled this Sunday from 4-6 p.m.

Johnson is upbeat about the approaching camp which continues until the end of August as the Commodores prepare for their season opener at Wake Forest on Thursday, Sept. 1.

“I think our guys are real excited about getting back to work, and are looking forward to getting ready for the season opener,” Johnson said. “I’ve been very pleased with the results from our summer conditioning effort and our players’ commitment to getting better. We need to build on that momentum with each preseason practice.”

Commodore players arrived on campus Sunday afternoon, going through medical physicals, a stop in the equipment fitting room and team meetings. The squad gathered early Monday for fitness tests, academic and social orientation, weight training and meetings prior to the initial practice.

The Commodores return several key players from a 2004 squad that played finished 2-9 overall, but played extremely
competitive football in nearly every outing.

Six offensive and defensive starters are back from 2004, including several standout veterans. On offense, three-time captain Jay Cutler is an All-SEC nominee at quarterback and one of the top signal callers ever at Vanderbilt. His aerial targets include a pair of senior starters in wide receiver Erik Davis and tight end Dustin Dunning. Up front, the unit returns 11-game starters Trey Holloway at center and Brian Stamper at tackle.

Senior linebacker Moses Osemwegie, a first team All-SEC pick in 2004 and the league’s top returning career tackler, leads a defensive unit that features a pair of 2004 starters, senior Herdley Harrison and Andrew Pace, moving to new positions at defensive end and cornerback, respectively. Sophomore Jonathan Goff and senior Kelechi Ohanaja also started last year at middle linebacker and safety, respectively.

Season ticket packages, starting at $65, are available for the Commodores’ six home games. More information is available at (615) 322-GOLD or via the Vanderbilt athletics online ticketing website, www.CommodoreGameday.com.