Feb. 22, 2016
On campus in Nashville – The Commodores became the first Southeastern Conference team to open spring drills with an enthusiastic, fast-paced session Monday.
More than 70 student-athletes worked through the energetic early-morning practice staged in the Indoor Practice Facility. The 90-minute workout focused on special teams, scheme installation, individual fundamentals and conditioning.
Head Coach Derek Mason, directing his third Spring Practice on campus, was pleased with the players’ effort.
“It’s just good to be back out here,” Mason said. “I thought their movement, energy and execution was pretty good on Day 1. We’ll work to clean some things up, but overall the effort was what I expected to see from the team.”
The Commodores will return to action Wednesday morning for another session open to Commodore fans. Later this week, the team will move into full pads for practices on Friday and Saturday.
Five experienced contributors back in uniform
Mason also took notice of several important contributors who finished last year out of uniform with injury were participating in the first spring drill, including Andrew Jelks (Sr., OL), Nigel Bowden (Jr., ILB), C.J. Duncan (Jr., WR), Jared Pinkney (R-Fr., TE) and Justin Skule (So., OL).
“It’s good just to see all those guys back on the grass moving around a little bit,” Mason said. “Our football team just looks different, more athletic and confident, with those guys out here. You’re talking about leaders on this team and guys who have played a lot of football.”
Blasingame getting repetitions in offensive backfield
Khari Blasingame, a sophomore who started against Ole Miss last year at inside linebacker, took repetitions in the offensive backfield Monday. Blasingame is expected to continue working at fullback where the Commodores lack depth.
Junior Dallas Rivers is the only Commodore active this spring with fullback experience.
Several `Dores to miss spring drills
At least five returning Commodores – Caleb Scott (Jr., WR), Landon Stokes (Jr, OLB) DeAndre Woods (Jr., TE), Kyle Anderton (So., TE) and Arnold Tarpley (Jr., safety/nickel back) – will miss contact drills this spring as they rehabilitate previous injuries. All five are expected at full strength this summer.
Former `Dore RB Zac Stacy joining Brandt Snedeker as celebrity soup judges this Sunday
Former Commodore and current New York Jets running back Zac Stacy will serve as a celebrity judge at the popular Our Kids Annual Soup Sunday charity event Feb. 28.
Stacy, who trains in Nashville during the offseason, will join former Commodore All-American and recent PGA Tour winner Brandt Snedeker among 10 celebrities judging tasty soups from about 50 of Nashville’s best restaurants.
The event, held in Club Level West of Nissan Stadium, is one of Nashville’s most popular winter activities. It is limited to 1,500 guests, who also share in the array of soup offerings.
Soup Sunday benefits Our Kids, a nonprofit providing medical evaluations and crisis counseling for children and families struggle with child sexual abuse. Tickets are available for $25 (adults) and $5 (youth ages 4-17). Children three years of age & under are free.