Cornerbacks grab the attention of Vandy beat writers

Brandon Barca, the web guy over at the VU athletic department, has a great feature on the official site in which he asked four Vandy writers covering preseason camp to name the players who’ve stood out to them over the past few week.

The names that kept popping up were WR Jordan Matthews, RBs Zac Stacy and freshman Jerron Seymour, DT Colt Nichter, FS Javon Marshall, K Carey Spear and three cornerbacks – SR Casey Hayward, JR Trey Wilson and SO Andre Hal.

CORNERBACKS

Yes, the writers considered Hayward and Wilson to be among the very best players on the team, and Hal to be one of Vandy’s best defensive players.

So here’s what we have returning at cornerback: A preseason All-SEC pick and All-American candidate (Hayward), a returning starter (Eddie Foster, who received no mention from the writers), one of the best players on the entire team (Wilson), and a young guy who’s suddenly become one of our very best defenders (Hal).

Yes, I’d say cornerback’s definitely a team strength.

SAFETIES

Or you could point to the whole secondary, where at safety we have a legitimate All-SEC candidate (Sean Richardson) and a returning starter (Kenny Ladler) but also, according to the writers, another guy who’s suddenly become one of our very best defenders (Marshall) and another young guy who’s been the surprise player of camp (Karl Butler).

DEFENSIVE LINE

The writers also consider defensive line to be a team strength, with Colt Nichter emerging as one of the team’s signature defenders, redshirt freshmen Vince Taylor and Kyle Woestmann showing dramatic improvement, and true freshman Barron Dixon also looking surprisingly sharp. And that doesn’t include returning starters T.J. Greenstone, Rob Lohr and Tim Fugger, or guys like Walker May, Jared Morse and Johnell Thomas.

LINEBACKER

At linebacker, Chase Garnham often looked like one of the defense’s top players, and Tristan Strong also was a surprise.

KICKERS

On special teams, Carey Spear appears to have grabbed the full-time placekicking duties from Ryan Fowler, and Richard Kent has a rested leg – at least for now – and is booming punts.

OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKERS

On offense, Jordan Matthews and Zac Stacy seem head and shoulders above everybody else – literally in Matthews’ case and figuratively in the case of Z.

Among the freshmen playmakers, RB Jerron Seymour had the entire team buzzing about his ability to accelerate and to cut and make tacklers miss. Fellow RB Mitchell Hester and QB Josh Grady also look like keepers. The Tennessean’s Jeff Lockridge says Grady had good arm strength, which was something recruiting sites have been questioning over the past year or so.

Oh, and redshirt junior running back Micah Powell also got a mention for stepping in capably when Warren Norman got injured. With all the little backs we have, Micah may very well be needed to get some tough inside yards or throw some blocks.

OFFENSIVE LINE

On the line, Wesley Johnson and Kyle Fischer look much improved, and Mylon Brown, whom the Tennessean’s Jeff Lockridge says was slow, fat and lazy last year, looks like a powerhouse as a starting guard. And Josh Jelesky, who moved over from defensive tackle, was also a huge surprise. Jesse Johnson of VandySports.com says Jelesky still looks a little light in the lower body (he’s listed at 265) but he’s got great hand technique and is catching on fast. Of the true freshmen, Spencer Pulley turned in the best performance in camp and just may play this year.

WHERE'S MARVE?

Keep in mind that these ink-stained wretches — or tech geeks, take your pick — are trying to show their expertise and originality by mentioning some names they think the other writers won’t mention. Where’s the excitement in naming Chris Marve as one of the team’s top players?

Many veterans who’ve already grabbed starting positions – TE Brandon Barden, QB Larry Smith, OT Ryan Seymour, DE Tim Fugger and yes, Marve – weren’t mentioned by the writers. That’s nothing to be concerned about. Do we really want Chris Marve leaving it all on the practice field? No.

After opening kickoff, it'll be a whole new ballgame.

Freshmen move into dorms... and don't drop any beds on their toes

The freshmen football players have moved into their dorm, and so far nobody’s dropped a bed on his toe.

You may remember that last year defensive back Trey Wilson actually dropped a bed and broke his toe, which kept him out of pre-season camp. It didn’t keep him from contributing as a true freshmen, but it was still a bummer.

You can go to the official Commodores site to see the class of 2014 (or 2015 with a redshirt) move their stuff into their new digs.

Perhaps learning from the plight of the elder Mr. Wilson, the kids were keeping it light. Safety Kenny Ladler’s pictured toting a coat, dress shirt and tie on a hanger, and cornerback Andre Hal’s got some bottled water and a 19” television.

The difference from past classes is the veritable cornucopia of defensive linemen. Vince Taylor and Jared Morse are big boys, and James Kittredge looks big too even standing next to hulking offensive lineman Logan Stewart, who by the way is wearing a heavy chain and padlock around his neck. Roommates Kyle Woestmann and Thomas Ryan look lean and mean and destined to stay on the outside of the line.

Karl Butler, a Louisiana native, was proudly sporting a Saints Super Bowl champs T-shirt, while Chase Garnham and Fitz Lassing wore buzz cuts.

Jonathan Krause had toned down his Kid N Play haircut just a bit, and Steven Clarke had a Larry Smith do.

Some other observations and thoughts:

• Did we mention the D-linemen look massive and ready to play?

• Stewart was the only O-lineman pictured.

• Speaking of frosh O-lineman, Grant Ramsay wrote on his Facebook page that he thinks he may play this season. We’ve long thought he’s our most game-ready OL.

• Kicker Carey Spear will not be moving to the offensive line.

• The receiver Chris Boyd is massive.

• Fellow wideout Jordan Matthews makes safety Andre Simmons look like a shrimp.

• Don’t forget Jonathan Krause. The little speedster is getting no mention from preseason prognisticators and even Vandy fans, who are focusing mainly on Boyd and Matthews and even Trent Pruitt. But he can separate from DBs and catch the ball in traffic, and that’s something the Commodores have sorely lacked.

• People are starting to speculate that Garnham, who reportedly runs a sub-4.4 40, might play as a true freshman. Don’t know about that. He’s still kind of light. Even Chris Marve redshirted as a freshman.

Notes and news from Vandy's first practice

Ah, so these players we've been talking about and this team we've been analyzing all summer are finally on the practice field. If you want to check out some of the new players and track their progress, I'd highly recommend going to the official Vanderbilt Web site. This morning, you'll find two photo galleries of players practicing. I spent a few minutes learning the numbers of some of the new players. You know, because you should never stop learning.

Also, the Tennessean's new VU beat writer, Jeff Lockridge, is doing a fine job following the Dores so far. Check out his coverage and notes from last night's practice.

Anyway, here are a few things from Day 1:

• SAMUELS READY TO GO: True frosh cornerback Eric Samuels, who for some reason was listed on the depth chart as sharing No. 37 with safety Al Owens, is now wearing No. 22. He's a great-looking athlete, long and lean like now-sophomore safety Sean Richardson, who didn't get much hype when he signed but played in the season opener and immediately looked like he belonged there.

• BIG NUMBER SIX: Speaking of numbers, No. 6 sort of has a slimming effect on hulking tight end Brandon Barden, who wore No. 87 last season.

• FAREWELL, FELLOWS: Receiver Justin Wheeler and linebacker Brandon Bryant, both fifth-year seniors, are officially done with their playing careers because of injury. Wheeler had huge touchdown catches in upsets of South Carolina in 2007 and Auburn in 2008. Bryant battled multiple injuries and never got to show off his big-league pursuit skills. Thanks, guys. Now get that Vanderbilt diploma.

• ONE LESS REDSHIRT FROSH: Offensive lineman Micheal Bryant has left the team. A 6-5, 285-pounder from LaVergne, Tenn., he was caught in a log jam of redshirt freshmen O-linemen that included Ryan Seymour, Caleb Welchans and Richard Cagle, but he'd improved his strength and quickness and was competing to backup right guard Eric Hensley.

• STRONG WANTS TO START...AT TSU: As we've noted for about a week, Alan Strong has left the team. Looks like the rumors that he's headed to Tennessee State are true. Strong told Lockridge: "I was listed on the second string behind D.J. Moore but I never got the opportunity to go into the game when D.J. or Myron got hurt. TSU is in Nashville so it's familiar. Their record was pretty good last year, they were one game away from the OVC championship and I think I could have helped them out." It's a shame to lose our only experienced backup at cornerback. Strong was a good athlete, had played in some big games, and was seemingly one injury away from starting or getting some serious minutes. Maybe the freshmen look so good and ready to play that Strong saw no choice but to leave.

• WILSON'S GOT THE MOVIN' MAN BLUES: True freshman Trey Wilson, one of those freshmen DBs expected to play right away, didn't practice last night. Why? He dropped a bed on his toe moving into his dorm. No kidding.

• FRESHMAN BACKS ON THE ATTACK: Stan Jones of Vandy Mania reports that the three freshman running backs — Warren Norman, Zac Stacy and Wesley Tate (note alphabetical order) — look "great" and have "very quick feet." He says Stacy looks particularly impressive.

• WAITING ON TERENCE: Terence Jeffers-Harris made an appearance at practice wearing jogging shoes but did not participate. We should know early next week if he's got the academic credits to play.

• CABBAGE IN THE HOUSE: If you're looking at the photo gallery of practice, you'll notice a big No. 70 working out with the O-Line. That's true frosh Justin Cabbagestalk, who's been suspended for the season but is enrolled in school and practicing with the team. "We thought it was important to get him here, let us keep tabs on him and know that he'll be around a good group of people who are going to influence him well," Coach Bobby Johnson told Lockridge. Just call it the Tampa program, because the same thing happened to Jermaine Doster last season.

• ON THE MEND: Jared Hawkins, Broderick Stewart and John Stokes were back on the field after missing spring practice recovering from injuries and surgeries

Trey Wilson among Commodores who'll play as true freshmen this season

So we’ve been concentrating a lot on next year’s signing class. Hey, it’s something to do in the summertime. But what about this year’s class? Who’s got the best chance of playing as true freshmen?

Glad you asked. According to our poll, you think Trey Wilson does, followed by receiver Brady Brown, running backs Wesley Tate and Zac Stacy and cornerback Eric Samuels. There’s a big drop-off after that.

Keep in mind that only three true freshmen played last season (Casey Hayward, Sean Richardson and John Cole, with Cole redshirting after being injured in the first game), and none of them started.

Here’s a look at each true freshman, in the order of votes received in the Moral Victory! poll:

1. TREY WILSON
Position: Cornerback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 52% (No. 1)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Alan Strong and freshman Eric Samuels
Will play right away: If he shines on special teams
Could have a big impact in 2009: If sophomore corners Graham or Hayward struggle against SEC receivers

2. BRADY BROWN
Position: Wide receiver
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 46% (No. 2)
Main competition for playing time: Sophomore Udoh Umoh and redshirt freshman Akeem Dunham
Will play right away: If he makes big catches in pre-season camp and clicks with quarterbacks Smith and Adams
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he’s the big target and sure-handed possession receiver that everybody believes he is

3. WESLEY TATE
Position: Running back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 45% (No. 3)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Kennard Reeves and fellow freshman Zac Stacy
Will play right away: If Jared Hawkins struggles with injury or Reeves fails to step up against SEC defenses
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he proves himself to be an every-down back in the SEC

4. ZAC STACY
Position: Running back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 43% (No. 4)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Kennard Reeves and fellow freshman Wesley Tate
Will play right away: If Reeves struggles early and if he’s better prepared than Tate to play right away
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he proves himself to be quicker hitting the holes than other backs on the team

5. ERIC SAMUELS
Position: Cornerback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 42% (No. 5)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Alan Strong and freshman Trey Wilson
Will play right away: If he shows the kind of athleticism that made him a sleeper pick as a high school senior
Could have a big impact in 2009: If Graham fails to adjust on defense or if Lewis or Hayward are injured.

6. WARREN NORMAN
Position: Running back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 19% (No. 6)
Main competition for playing time: Freshmen Wesley Tate and Zac Stacy and junior Gaston Miller
Will play right away: If he shows in the pre-season that he can do something better than any other back, such as catch passes out of the backfield, and if he dispels the view that he’s not physically ready for the SEC
Could have a big impact in 2009: If the upperclassmen struggle and if he shows an elusiveness that the other freshmen lack

7. JAVON MARSHALL
Position: Defensive back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 16% (No. 7)
Main competition for playing time: Redshirt freshmen Al Owens and Micah Powell and true freshman Jay Fullam
Will play right away: If Owens and Powell struggle and any of the regular safeties is injured.
Could have a big impact in 2009: Would be a role player at best.

8. MASON JOHNSON
Position: Tight end
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 12% (No. 8)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Justin Green
Will play right away: If he shows himself to be a significantly better receiver and blocker, and more aggressive, than Green in preseason workouts
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he beats out Green early and then is forced into a bigger role because of injuries to Barden or Monahan

9. EDDIE FOSTER
Position: Cornerback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 10% (No. 9)
Main competition for playing time: Freshmen Samuels and Wilson
Will play right away: If he dispels the belief that he’s too light to play right away and that Samuels and Wilson are better prepared for SEC football
Could have a big impact in 2009: If put in a role, such as a returner, that highlights his 4.3 speed

10. COLLIN ASHLEY
Position: Wide receiver
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: N/A (signed late; not included in fan poll)
Main competition for playing time: Senior Alex Washington and junior Turner Wimberly
Will play right away: If Washington struggles with injury or can’t step up and if Wimberly doesn’t have what it takes to be an SEC receiver.
Could have a big impact in 2009: If John Cole, who looks like a clone, or another regular struggles with injury and Ashley is pressed into duty and shines

11. THAD MCHANEY
Position: Defensive end
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 9% (No. 10)
Main competition for playing time: Five defensive ends with significant playing time, as well as three redshirt freshmen
Will play right away: If he’s physically ready and if he’s too good to keep off the field
Could have a big impact in 2009: This is unlikely. A redshirt year is the best bet.

12. CHARLIE GORO
Position: Quarterback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 5% (No. 11)
Main competition for playing time: Jared Funk
Will play right away: If the three quarterbacks ahead of him get injured. Highly unlikely.
Could have a big impact in 2009: If Larry Smith goes down and the other quarterbacks struggle, but this is highly unlikely.

13. JUSTIN CABBAGESTALK
Position: Offensive line
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 5% (No. 11)
Main competition for playing time: Nine linemen with playing experience and four redshirt freshmen
Will play right away: Highly unlikely, and possible that he won’t be allowed to attend Vanderbilt
Could have a big impact in 2009: No chance.

14. MYLON BROWN
Position: Offensive line
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 4% (No. 13)
Main competition for playing time: Nine linemen with playing experience and four redshirt freshmen
Will play right away: If he’s recovered from injury and has talent that can’t be kept off the field.
Could have a big impact in 2009: A redshirt year is a much better bet.

15. JAY FULLAM
Position: Safety
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 4% (No. 13)
Main competition for playing time: Redshirt freshmen Owens and Powell and true freshman Marshall
Will play right away: If the other freshmen struggle and the secondary is hit hard with injuries.
Could have a big impact in 2009: Not likely

16. WESLEY JOHNSON
Position: Offensive line
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 2% (No. 15)
Main competition for playing time: Won’t play. Will be too busy eating and lifting. This boy’s gonna be a force to be reckoned with in a year or two.
Will play right away: See above.
Could have a big impact in 2009: See above.

17. BLAKE SOUTHERLAND
Position: Linebacker
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 2% (No. 15)
Main competition for playing time: With seven veterans returning and four talented redshirt freshmen chomping at the bit, playing this season won’t be an option.
Will play right away: See above.
Could have a big impact in 2009: See above.

18. WALKER MAY
Position: Defensive end
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 0% (No. 16)
Main competition for playing time: Too much competition. He'll be with Wes Johnson in the dining room and weight room.
Will play right away: See above.
Could have a big impact in 2009: See above.