Feb. 29, 2016
On campus in Nashville — The Commodores returned to practice Monday, opening the second week of Spring Ball with a 90-minute session in the indoor facility.
After putting the team through the full-gear practice, Head Coach Derek Mason said he’s pleased with the competitiveness and effort from both sides of the ball.
“The energy is good. The guys are flying around, getting good reps, and practice with good tempo and pace,” Mason said. “The execution is up, but it needs to be better. We need to continue to practice with great effort.”
Early in the practice, the Commodores focused on scheme development, individual fundamentals and special teams. A variety of 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-7 team drills capped the session.
The Commodores will return to the practice Wednesday and Friday, then take next week off for Spring Break.
Mason: Duncan learned from year away from game
Through a week of practice, few Commodores have been more impressive than C.J. Duncan. The junior wide receiver, who missed the entire 2015 season to injury, made his presence felt again Monday, hauling in several passes, including one from Kyle Shurmur for a touchdown.
Mason said Duncan seems appreciative of every snap this spring, and is gaining confidence with each practice.
“The year off actually gave C.J. an opportunity to get better. He’s a more mature receiver,” Mason said. `Now he’s making practice count, taking every rep like it might be the last. He’s battling to get better every practice.”
Duncan was one of several receiving targets to impress Monday. Trent Sherfield (Jr., WR), Trey Ellis (Jr., WR), Winston Guillory (So., WR), Jared Pinkney (R-Fr., TE) and Sam Dobbs (So., TE) also contributed catches in the session.
Weatherly at NFL Scouting Combine
Stephen Weatherly, Vanderbilt’s lone representative at the NFL Scouting Combine, impressed NFL scouts during a battery of measurements, interviews, and conditioning tests last weekend in Indianapolis.
As expected, Weatherly’s measurements compared favorably with any of the 40 linebackers invited to the Combine. Weatherly’s weight (267 pounds) and arm length (34.5 inches) topped all linebackers. He was also the fourth tallest linebacker (6-4) with the fifth largest hands (10.25 inches).
On Saturday, Weatherly also produced the third highest bench press among linebackers, lifting 23 reps of 225 pounds. He came back Sunday to post a 40-yard dash best of 4.60, tying for sixth fastest in his group.
While Weatherly attended the Combine, at least seven other Commodores are preparing for the team’s Pro Day activity scheduled March 3 on campus.
Expected to participate in Pro Day are defensive end Caleb Azubike, offensive linemen Jake Bernstein and Spencer Pulley, linebacker Darreon Herring, safety Jahmel McIntosh, tight end Steven Scheu and safety Andrew Williamson.