July 26, 2011
Offensive Outlook | Commodore Summer Countdown Contest
Vanderbilt football enters a new era this fall. When James Franklin took the helm in December, he promised to guide the Commodore football team to championship level competitor. This season, he will lay the foundation for a great college football turnaround story.
The Commodore defense returns a bevy of important contributors. Eight of 11 starters from a year ago return, including defensive end Tim Fugger and tackles Rob Lohr and T.J. Greenstone, linebacker Chris Marve, defensive back Casey Hayward and safety Sean Richardson.
The Commodores also return the entire corps of kicking and return specialists from a year ago.
At the conclusion of spring drills, Franklin declined to announce a tentative depth chart, calling for further competition for defensive positions during preseason camp.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Commodores defense enters the 2011 season poised for an aggressive battle at the line of scrimmage. The defensive front returns most of the key 2010 contributors and adds a number of key prospects.
Redshirt junior Rob Lohr started every game as tackle last year, ending the season with four sacks and eight tackles for a loss. Redshirt senior T.J. Greenstone battled injuries for most of 2010 and will likely play alongside Lohr at tackle.
Junior Colt Nichter, redshirt junior Josh Jelesky, sophomore Jared Morse, and redshirt junior Taylor Loftley return for the 2011 campaign on the heels of a successful spring. Nichter turned heads during the Black and Gold game with a pair of sacks and two pass deflections. Morse gained experience as a true freshman last year with appearances in seven games. Jelesky and Loftley also contributed in reserve roles in 2010.
Redshirt freshman Vince Taylor and incoming signee Barron Dixon are interior prospects that will garner preseason attention from coaches.
Redshirt senior Tim Fugger leads the Commodore defensive ends. The two-year starter paced the SEC with four forced fumbles as a junior.
During spring drills redshirt freshman Kyle Woestmann registered one big play after another during the Black and Gold game and will compete with redshirt sophomore Walker May and redshirt junior Johnell Thomas for a starting job across from Fugger. Redshirt junior Dexter Daniels moved to defensive end in the spring and will compete for playing time.
Other prospects at end are redshirt sophomore Thad McHaney and incoming freshman Darien Bryant and Jimmy Stewart.
LINEBACKERS
Redshirt senior interior linebacker Chris Marve will anchor the corps of promising though inexperienced linebackers.
Marve is the first SEC linebacker to register over 100 tackles as a freshman and sophomore in a decade. Marve battled injuries as a junior but still finished with 80 tackles. Marve’s accolades include a second straight second team All-SEC honor in 2010 and also a preseason all-league pick for 2011. He’s been named to watch lists for several individual awards, including the Lott IMPACT, Nagurski and Bednarik trophies. Redshirt junior DeAndre Jones also will compete for time at the position.
At the outside linebacker positions, several returnees will compete for the starting roles, including redshirt juniors Archibald Barnes and Tristan Strong and sophomore Chase Garnham. Also expected to challenge for playing time are redshirt junior Al Owens and senior walk-on Bobby Jewell.
Jimmy Stewart and Darien Bryant are talented signees that could play either linebacker or end.
CORNERBACKS
Senior Casey Hayward returns as one of the SEC’s most reliable playmakers after a breakthrough junior year.
A preseason candidate for the Thorpe and Nagurski defensive awards, Hayward earned second team all-SEC honors in 2010 after topping the league with 17 deflections. He also ranked among the NCAA leaders with six interceptions.
On the opposite side, junior Eddie Foster started in 11 games in 2010, posted 53 tackles, and returned an interception for a touchdown against Ole Miss. Junior Trey Wilson stepped up during spring drills, showcasing his speed and impressive coverage ability.
Sophomores Steven Clark and Andre Hal played in every game last year and should continue to develop and compete for key roles.
Two others expected to compete in camp are sophomore Reggie Ford and freshman signee Derek King.
SAFETIES
Senior free safety Sean Richardson returns to lead the talented and deep group of safeties. Richardson was Vanderbilt’s lead tackler in 2010 garnering 67 solo tackles and 98 total stops.
Sophomore Kenny Ladler started the final eight games at free safety and earned freshman All-SEC recognition from league coaches. He is expected to fill the role beside Richardson in the defensive backfield.
Several talented players will keep Richardson and Ladler fresh in supporting roles. Redshirt junior Eric Samuels posted 27 tackles in 2010 after moving to the defense from running back. Redshirt sophomore Javon Marshall moved to safety from cornerback during spring drills.
Sophomores Karl Butler and Andre Simmons are physical players who provide solid support against the rush.
New signees Larry Franklin, Jahmel McIntosh and Andrew Williamson will get in on the action in 2011 as well.
PLACEKICKER
Redshirt junior Ryan Fowler and sophomore Carey Spear are expected to compete for placekicking duties. As a two-year starter, Fowler has made 70 percent of his career field goal attempts, but hit just eight of 13 tries last year. Fowler looks to return to his 2009 form when he earned freshman All-SEC and freshman All-America recognition. Spear impressed coaches during spring drills with a powerful leg and improved accuracy. Walk-on junior Eric Frieman provides depth at the position.
PUNTER
Junior Richard Kent performed admirably as a first-time punter in 2010, averaging 41.8 yards on a team-record 84 attempts. Kent’s superb hang time allowed opponents to only average just 6.8 yards per return. Kent was also accurate, dropping 28 punts inside the opponent’s end zone. Either Fowler and Spear are expected to serve as the second team punter.
RETURN SPECIALISTS
The Commodores return an All-America candidate in kickoff returner Warren Norman. The junior has a 25.9-yard career average, and three returns for touchdowns. Other potential kickoff returners with collegiate experience are Trey Wilson, Eric Samuels and Andre Hal.
Zac Stacy, Jonathan Krause and John Cole have experience as punt returners. Cole topped the Commodores in 2010 with a 7.9-yard return average.
