Offensive Line Rotation Taking Shape

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — If the Vanderbilt offense is to find success in 2021 it must get solid play out of its front five.

While that narrative isn’t too dissimilar from any other team throughout the country, it likely holds more weight for a Commodores’ attack with the ability to move the ball via its playmakers when given ample running lanes and solid pass protection.

“The train doesn’t move without these guys. In order for us to execute our job it all starts up front. They should be getting all the fame and glory,” Vanderbilt running back Re’Mahn Davis said. “When they open up the hole we have to hit it, can’t tippy-toe, got to make sure that what we see is what they’re providing and at the end of the day the goal is to try to score to really make these guys pop bodies.”

Vandy has some proven veterans mixed alongside some younger players among its starting rotation thus far in fall camp. Seniors Tyler Steen (tackle) and Cole Clemens (guard) have been mainstays on the left side of the line while sophomores Ben Cox (guard) and Bradley Ashmore (tackle) have fronted the right side.

The center position has been a battle between senior Michael Warden, sophomore Kevo Wesley and junior Julian Hernandez.

“We got probably eight guys that we are working through at that top five right now,” Vandy offensive line coach AJ Blazek said. “I feel good about them, could put them in at any time, any place. In a perfect world you got a couple guys you can roll throughout the game – could give a breather, give a spell.

“We got a small group right now that are either proven and been guys that have played in games and been successful that we can count on, and then there’s some young guys with some energy and some athleticism that haven’t played as much that provide a little bit of spark and umph to the group. That mix is really the last little piece that we’re putting together.”

As true freshmen, Ashmore played in all nine of Vandy’s games in 2020 and made five starts while Cox played in eight – vital game action to help that duo’s development coming into 2021. On the flip side, Steen is a preseason All-SEC fourth team selection (Athlon) while Clemens has 27 games under his belt as a Commodore after not playing in 2020.

Warden has never played in a game for Vanderbilt after a standout career at Summit Country Day in Loveland, Ohio. He’s battling for the starting center job with Wesley, who played in one game in 2020, and Hernandez – who has also taken snaps at right guard – who played guard in four of the five contests he appeared in 2020.

“I feel like we’ve been jelling together really well these past few weeks of camp and now we’re getting closer and closer to game day,” Ashmore said. “I just feel like we’re starting to play close and play like a unit. We don’t have anything locked in yet but we’re starting to jell, whether that be who you’re playing next to or the group as a whole. I really like where we’re headed.”

Among the linemen getting snaps with the second team offense have been senior tackle Bryce Bailey and junior guard Junior Uzebu. Uzebu transferred to Vanderbilt from West Virginia while Bailey has played in 22 games over the course of the 2018 and ’19 seasons.

Freshman Gage Pitchford, senior Jonathan Stewart and sophomore Jason Brooks have been involved in the top rotation as well.

“As a line, I’ve always been a believer, it’s the guys that make the five best,” Blazek said. “They’re the ones that are going to click, they’re going to operate. Sometimes when all the stuff’s moving it gets intense. You just got to know what that guy next to you is doing from a word or a feeling on the previous block.”

Vanderbilt, which began preparations Tuesday for the the season-opener against East Tennessee State, is scheduled to return to the practice fields Wednesday evening for the 18th practice of fall camp.

— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.