NASHVILLE – Through two seasons at Vanderbilt, wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb has grown accustomed to providing big-play potential on the football field. But the junior’s most recent offseason has added another title to his resume: team leader.
“I think my role on this team has changed over the course of the last six months or so,” Lipscomb said. “I think I’m stepping into that role now.”
Due to both talent and necessity, Lipscomb enters fall camp at Vanderbilt as the headliner of the Dores’ receiving corps. The junior has been a productive piece of coordinator Andy Ludwig‘s offense in each of his previous two years, amassing 64 catches, 929 yards and 10 touchdowns in his short career. Last season, Lipscomb led the Commodores with eight touchdown grabs and returns this fall as the team leader in catches (37) and receiving yards (610).
Lipscomb is likely to shoulder a bigger spotlight in Vanderbilt’s group of pass-catchers this season. The junior said he is ready for that responsibility.
“I’m used to being a guy who makes plays and works within the offense,” Lipscomb said.
Vanderbilt returns a host of experience on offense in 2018, including senior quarterback Kyle Shurmur and all five starters on the offensive line. But the Commodores also lose three senior receivers — C.J. Duncan, Caleb Scott and Trent Sherfield – who combined for 120 catches, 1,424 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2017. In fact, beyond Lipscomb and tight end Jared Pinkney, no Vanderbilt returnee caught more than eight passes a year ago.
Those departures opened a door this spring for new playmakers to emerge. Sophomore Chris Pierce, first-year graduate student Trey Ellis, junior Donaven Tennyson, and redshirt freshman James Bostic expect to push for playing time, with Ohio State transfer Alex Stump adding another dimension after redshirting in 2017. The corps also includes freshmen Amir Abdur-Rahman, C.J. Bolar and Cam Johnson. Plus, head coach Derek Mason hired Aaron Moorehead as the Dores’ new receiver coach in January.
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Despite a revamped position room, Mason said he has been impressed with his new-look group of wideouts this offseason.
“Right now, talent-wise, we have as much talent as I’ve had since I’ve been here,” Mason said. “I’m talking about pure receivers, guys who played the position coming out of high school, skillsets, ability to track the ball. Big guys, little guys, fast guys. I’m just excited for fall camp to see what comes out of the race.”
Added Lipscomb: “We’re in a position where we need guys to play, we need guys to step up, especially at my position, the receiver position. We have a lot of guys that can do that. And we have a lot of guys who are ambitious and look forward to accepting that challenge.”
But Lipscomb is the straw that stirs the drink for the Dores’ pass-catchers, and SEC teams are well aware of his electric ability. Against South Carolina in 2017, the New Orleans native hauled in career-highs of seven catches for 128 yards, while his 47-yard touchdown grab against the Gamecocks was the longest of his career. Lipscomb led all Commodores in yards-per-catch (16.5) last and returns as a favorite long-ball threat of Shurmur’s.
If Lipscomb emerges as a leader on the edge, Vanderbilt’s offense could be more dangerous in 2018. But first, the junior plans to take care of business in fall camp.
“I think it’s all about trying to find your role, and over the course of camp a lot of guys are going to do that,” Lipscomb said.
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.