Aug. 7, 2009
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Interview with Coach Johnson | G. Billinger | L. Smith
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After guiding Vanderbilt to a winning season and Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl victory last year, Commodore Head Coach Bobby Johnson opened the team’s preseason camp Friday evening by guiding more than 100 prospects, including 18 starters from the 2008 squad, through an energetic session on campus.
The Commodores spent more than two hours on the John Rich Practice Facility working on individual techniques, tempo, position instruction, and an variety of 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. After concluding the session with a segment devoted to the kicking game, Johnson said the first session of his eighth Vanderbilt camp went well.
“They were running around out there and getting after it,” Johnson said. “The energy level was great and everybody was enthusiastic. I thought we got a good bit of teaching accomplished. We threw a lot at them today, especially the young guys.
“What’s important is that we have something on film. Now we can watch the film, come back tomorrow and show them what they did right and what they need to work on,” the head coach said.
For much of the session, sophomore Larry Smith and senior Mackenzi Adams alternated series at quarterback directing the “A” offense. Both connected on several passes, as did junior signal caller Jared Funk.
Back After Missing Spring Drills
Three likely starters – senior tailback Jared Hawkins, senior defensive end Broderick Stewart and linebacker John Stokes – participated in the opening practice. All three sat out spring drills recuperating from 2008 injuries.
“Those are three guys that were important to our success last year and guys that we need on the field. I thought they looked pretty good out there,” Johnson said.
Lewis Officially Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watchlist
Cornerback Myron Lewis, one of the nation’s top senior cornerbacks, was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watchlist Friday. He is one of 31 defensive backs named to the list.
Johnson said Lewis is a very deserving candidate. “Of course he is. Myron had five interceptions and five sacks last year. You won’t find many guys that have those stats,” the coach added.
Career Ends for Two Commodore Seniors
Injuries have ended the playing careers of fifth-year seniors Brandon Bryant and Justin Wheeler, Johnson said Friday.
Bryant, a linebacker from Cincinnati, Ohio, who started three games in 2007 and registered 34 total tackles, has received a medical hardship after a series of leg injuries forced him to the sidelines. A 10-game starter at receiver in 2008, Wheeler has been unable to return from a knee injury sustained in Spring Practice. He had 26 career receptions, including a key touchdown catch in Vanderbilty’s victory over Auburn last year.
Practice Notes
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Micheal Bryant has left the Commodore squad. He informed Coach Johnson of his departure on Thursday… Two players missed the session with injuries: defensive back Trey Wilson (toe) and linebacker Michael Garcia (torn pectoral muscle). While Wilson is expected to miss just days of work, Garcia is likely to miss much of the season… Former Commodore standout Walter Overton, the current General Manager of the Titans’ LP Field, watched from the sidelines, as did Voice of the Commodores Joe Fisher… After switching from offense to defense in spring drills, Jamie Graham spent most of the first preseason practice as a defensive back. The versatile Graham could see limited action on offense and special teams… Several Commodores have switched jersey numbers, including tight end Brandon Barden (No. 6), tailback Gaston Miller (No. 7), linebacker Dexter Daniels (No. 18), tailback Jermaine Doster (No. 26), linebacker Tristan Strong (No. 32) and kicker Ryan Fowler (No. 48)… Four new walk-ons – quarterback Matt Casas of Saratoga, Calif., punter Walt Wepfer of Memphis, defensive end Mark Panu of Mableton, Ga., and snapper Conrad Quiros of Atlanta – participated in practice.
