Aug. 11, 2016
On campus in Nashville – On a day that started with the first full-contact drills of camp, the Vanderbilt offense ended the Thursday session by producing plenty of fireworks through the air.
Several Commodore receivers became playmakers Thursday, hauling in passes from sophomore Kyle Shurmur and junior Wade Freebeck during 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and team segments of the 90-minute practice held outdoors at the John Rich Practice Facility. Both Shurmur and Freebeck consistently found receiving targets on an array of routes that results in explosive plays for Andy Ludwig’s offense.
Afterward, head coach and defensive coordinator Derek Mason praised the offensive attack, which followed a limited, full-contact segment of scoring-situation plays that brought plenty of intensity from both sides of the ball.
“Andy came out today with the intention of getting his quarterbacks in rhythm, shoring up pass protections, and getting his guys some work. That air raid gave us a chance to work on what we are going to see. I also liked the physical part (early in practice) because it creates mentality,” Mason said.
Receivers’ confidence seemed to increase through the practice. Trent Sherfield (Jr., WR), Latevius Rayford (Sr., WR), Kalija Lipscomb (Fr., WR), Donaven Tennyson (Fr., WR), Nathan Marcus (R-Jr., TE) and Jalen Pinkney (R-Fr., TE) were among who caught multiple passes on the day.
The offense also created several effective rushes from junior Ralph Webb, and sophomores Josh Crawford and Khari Blasingame, who broke an off-guard carry for a long touchdown. Senior Will Holden, junior Delando Crooks, sophomores Bailey Granier and Justin Skule, and redshirt freshmen Ean Pfeier and Jared Southers opened holes during a run-oriented, 9-on-9 period.
Several defenders also created impressive plays. Jordan Griffin (R-So., ILB) produced a safety, stuffing Webb in the end zone. Oren Burks (R-Jr., Star) and Nigel Bowden (R-Jr., ILB) registered quarterback sacks, and Adam Butler (Sr., DL), Jonathan Wynn (R-Jr., DL) and Landon Stokes (R-Jr., OLB) were frequent visitor to the offensive backfield. In the secondary, Torren McGaster (Sr., CB) and Taurean Ferguson (R-Jr., CB) knocked down passes.
On Friday, the Commodores will stage their second two-a-day of camp, holding practices at 6:30 a.m., and 4:40 p.m.
Disappointing news: Injuries force Jelks, Stankavage out of action
After practice, Mason said former starting offensive lineman Andrew Jelks and young quarterback prospect Shawn Stankavage are expected to miss the entire season with undisclosed injuries.
It marks the second straight year that injuries have forced Jelks, an offensive leader and former freshman All-American performer, and Stankavage out of uniform.