NASHVILLE, Tenn. — There is little question that Vanderbilt’s offensive attack will look a bit different in 2020.
The Commodores are looking for a new starting quarterback and new go-to wide receiver, are replacing one of the program’s all-time greats at tight end and will have a new lineup on the offensive line. And that’s all under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator Todd Fitch.
Vandy is also looking for someone to become the feature running back in Fitch’s system. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL, ran for more than 1,000 yards as a senior in 2019 and scored nine touchdowns on the ground.
Hoping to reproduce those sort of numbers, Vanderbilt will turn to a three-headed monster at the start of 2020 instead of a single bell cow.
“Just starting out I think we’ll have three that are going to at least get first crack at it. Then it will all be kind of settled with how well they perform,” Vanderbilt running backs coach Tim Horton said. “I think going into this first (game) I think we’ll have three get the majority of the reps and whoever can show that they can perform at a high level will probably have an increase in their workload.”
Jamauri Wakefield, Ja’veon Marlow and Keyon Henry-Brooks will be the primary trio at running back for Vanderbilt when the season starts Sept. 26 at No. 10 Texas A&M. It’s a threesome with varying levels of experience but whom have all showed flashes of playmaking ability.
Wakefield, entering his fifth year in the program, missed virtually all of the 2019 season after getting injured against Georgia in the opener. He also redshirted in 2017.
But the Jacksonville, Florida, product did total 353 yards on 78 carries in 2018. Now he enters 2020 as the elder statesmen in the running back room.
“He’s done well. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him,” Horton said of Wakefield’s preseason thus far. “I think he’s ready to contribute and ready to make some things happen for us.”
Henry-Brooks was Vandy’s No. 2 rusher a season ago with 252 yards on 56 attempts. He showed his breakaway speed on a 61-yard touchdown run against Northern Illinois.
Marlow got 10 touches and totaled 42 yards in 2019 after rushing for 46 yards on five totes in 2018.
“You’re always looking to see who steps up,” Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said. “We’ve got good backs and we’ve recruited well. All these guys are ready to play. I’ve seen spectacular moments from each one of these guys, but it’s not like anyone of these guys is a complete player right now.
“It’s going to be running back by committee in this system. They’ve all got roles and as they continue to get better it will sort itself out.”
Alongside the aforementioned trio is Mitchell Pryor and Rocko Griffin – Griffin is the only true freshman among the bunch. Pryor had five carries for 49 yards in 2019 and scored a touchdown against East Tennessee State.
Pryor, Griffin, Marlow, Wakefield and Henry-Brooks will all see the field this season, regardless of where they stand on the depth chart. As of now they’re the only five running backs on the Vandy roster.
“I was telling them the other day that I don’t know if ever in my career I’ve had a room where everybody is going to play,” Horton said. “Now they may not all play at running back, some of them will be special teams guys, but our numbers are such that we just don’t have a whole lot of depth.
“Having just five running backs, all of them will travel, all of them will play, so morale should be really good.”
Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com. Follow him @MrChadBishop.
