Aug. 4, 2016
Derek Mason will welcome a more experienced Vanderbilt squad tonight when he starts his third season on campus.
Twenty-one players who started at least four games a year ago – and more than 50 letterwinners – are expected to greet Mason when camp opens at the John Rich Practice Complex at 7:30 p.m. The Commodores are expected to work out in light gear for about 90 minutes today, then return for another 90-minute session Friday night.
The team’s practices this Saturday and Sunday will be open to Commodore fans. Both weekend sessions will start at 4:10 p.m.
Mason believes his staff and Commodore players are on target to improve on a 2015 campaign when they finished fourth in the SEC Eastern Division.
“A ‘team first’ attitude prevails on this squad. I see great effort and camaraderie throughout the roster,” Mason said. “After two years, we also have more upperclassmen, guys that know what it takes to play and compete in SEC football. The added experience will help this team succeed.”
Three key areas of continuity should benefit the Commodores. The team enters its second year with Strength Coach James Dobson, whose early impact drastically upgraded fitness and conditioning throughout the roster in 2015. It also marks the second year that Andy Ludwig will guide the Commodore offense, which looks to vastly improve this year. And lastly, it’s the second year that Mason will coordinate the Vanderbilt defense that was one of the nation’s most improved units last year.
Mason expects the 2016 Commodores to be more competitive and physical, and play smarter, more efficient football.
Ludwig’s offense features 11 players who started multiple games last year, including quarterback Kyle Shurmur, running back Ralph Webb, wide receivers Trent Sherfield, Darrius Sims and Caleb Scott, and linemen Will Holden and Barrett Gouger. The offense also gets four key players who missed all or most of last year with injury: offensive tackle Andrew Jelks, wide receiver C.J. Duncan, and tight ends DeAndre Woods and Jared Pinkney.
The defense returns several top players from 2015, including All-SEC linebacker Zach Cunningham, defensive linemen Adam Butler and Nifae Lealao, cornerbacks Torren McGaster and Tre Herndon, and safety/linebacker Oren Burks. The unit also gets former standout linebacker Nigel Bowden back from injury.
Vanderbilt kicks off with a Thursday night matchup, hosting South Carolina on Sept. 1 before an ESPN national television audience.
Season tickets, individual tickets to three early games available
Besides South Carolina, the Vanderbilt home slate includes Middle Tennessee on Sept. 10, Florida on Oct. 1, Tennessee State for homecoming on Oct. 22, Ole Miss on Nov. 19, and Tennessee on Nov. 26.
Season tickets remain available, starting at $135 for end-zone locations and only $250 for premium sideline seats in Vanderbilt Stadium.
Fans can also purchase individual tickets to three games: South Carolina ($55), Middle Tennessee ($30) and Tennessee State ($30). Single-game tickets for the Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee games will go on sale at a later date. Tickets can be purchased online or via the phone at (615) 322-GOLD (4653).
The Vanderbilt Ticket Office also is open during regular hours on weekends in McGugin Athletics Center, 2601 Jess Neely Drive in Nashville.