March 1, 2017
Nashville – As severe weather impacted much of Middle Tennessee, the Commodores managed to complete a full practice indoors on campus Wednesday morning.
The practice – Vanderbilt’s second of the spring – offered extended segments of scheme development, position fundamentals and individual instruction. The 75-minute workout concluded with 11-on-11 team drills and special teams.
The storms did affect the Commodores. Early in the session, the team was forced off the practice field for nearly 30 minutes due to tornado warnings.
“Despite the weather and delay, the guys did a good job of staying focused and getting as much done as we did,” Head Coach Derek Mason said. “We were able to get a good deal accomplished.”
The Commodores are expected to practice Friday and Saturday, then take a week off for spring break.
Lewis watches the progress
Osia Lewis, the Commodores’ outside linebacker coach who took an off-the-field position recent to focus on his own health issues, watched from the sidelines.
Several players and coaches came by to check on Lewis, who is more than a month into treatment for liver cancer discovered in early January. Lewis will serve as senior defensive assistant and special consultant to Mason as he combats the cancer diagnosis.
Warren Belin, a long-time linebacker coach at Vanderbilt under Bobby Johnson, is handling Lewis’ on-field duties.
Holden arrives at NFL Combine
Will Holden, a three-year starter at offensive tackle for the Commodores who graduated in December, gets a chance to boost his draft stock starting today at the NFL Combine.
Holden, one of nearly 50 offensive linemen at the combine, is scheduled to complete official measurements, medical examinations and interviews with NFL personnel today, do the critical 225-pound bench press test Thursday, and have on-field workouts Friday.
Holden, who raised his stock by playing in the East-West Shrine Game and Reese’s Senior Bowl, is excited about the days ahead. “You dream of this you’re growing up and now that it’s actually happening, it’s kind of surreal,” Holden said. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase your skills in front of every NFL team. I look forward to taking full advantage of it.”
Holden’s highly regarded Commodore teammate, unanimous All-America linebacker Zach Cunningham, is expected to arrive in Indianapolis Thursday. Cunningham’s primary activities are scheduled this Saturday and Sunday.