Vanderbilt Commodores : Fall Camp Questions

At last the long dark of the off-season is nearing its end. Football is less than one month away, and that means that Fall Camp is getting underway throughout the SEC. The month of August will be absolutely critical in determining how each team fares in September, October, November, and beyond. With that in mind, each team has pressing questions they have to answer before the end of the month. We will conclude our series today by taking a look at the questions facing Derek Mason and the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Who is Going to Start at Quarterback?

At the beginning of last season Johnny McCrary was Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback. When McCrary struggled, throwing an incredible 12 interceptions to only six touchdowns, Freshman Kyle Shurmur got the job. McCrary transferred to Mercer after the season ended, so it seems like a no-brainer that Shurmur would be the guy. But don’t be so sure.

Shurmur didn’t exactly set the world on fire himself. He completed just 43 percent of his 103 passes for only 503 yards and five touchdowns. Not exactly inspiring numbers. Junior Wade Freebeck will be next man up if Shurmur doesn’t improve.

Verdict: It will be Shurmur, at least initially. How well he does will determine whether or not he keeps his job for the entire season.

Can Anybody take Some Carries from Ralph Webb? (Please?)

Last season Ralph Webb was basically a one-man offense. He carried the ball 23 times a game and gained 1152 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. He also added 188 yards and two touchdowns on 24 catches. So can somebody, anybody, give the guy a little bit of help back there?

Oct 17, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Ralph Webb (7) during the game between Vanderbilt and South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. Final score South Carolina 19 - Vanderbilt 10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Ralph Webb could use some help in the Commodore backfield. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Sophomore Josh Crawford is the only other true tailback on the roster currently. Last year he averaged three yards per carry on just 18 carries. Dallas Rivers and Khari Blasingame are more fullbacks than tailbacks, but could sub-in in a pinch.

Verdict: Nope. Webb is the only quality back Vanderbilt has at the moment. Their offense will likely go as far as he can carry them.

Can Somebody Step up at Tight End?

Andy Ludwig likes to use his tight ends in the passing game. The question is does he have any capable of handling a big workload. Last season, tight end Stephen Scheu was second on the team in catches, with 27, third on the team in receiving yards, with 240, and second on the team in receiving touchdowns with two. The numbers themselves aren’t terribly impressive. If Kyle Shurmur wants to be successful he will need somebody to step up at the tight end spot to take Scheu’s place this season.

Nathan Marcus, Deandre Woods, and Jared Pinkney are the three most likely candidates to take over.

Verdict: Yes. Pinkney in particular seems to have real potential. He is both big, 6’4″ 250, and athletic. I think he is poised to make a big impact as a safety blanket for Shurmur in his freshman season.

The Vanderbilt Commodores have questions, as do all teams at this stage. How Coach Derek Mason answers them will determine how well the Commodores do this season. Let us know how you think he will handle them in the comments.

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