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It’s the second year of the offense run by Andy Ludwig, but Vanderbilt is also testing a largely unproven quarterback again. The defense showed marked improvement last season and returns several key players.
As a team looking to fight its way into the middle of the SEC East, Vanderbilt has a few star players, but it’s difficult to find a surplus at any position.
Here are Vanderbilt’s strengths and weaknesses following spring practice:
STRENGTHS
- Ralph Webb: He’s not only talented but consistent. Vanderbilt’s starting running back has a 24-game starting streak and last season rushed for 1,152 yards — sixth in the SEC — and five touchdowns. Webb’s strength is magnified by the questions the team has at quarterback and wide receiver. In two seasons, he’s rushed for 2,059 yards, which already is eighth all-time in program history.
- Secondary: Cornerback Torren McGaster has started 22 games the past two seasons. His 13 pass breakups last season were tied for third in the SEC. He also had 51 tackles. On the other side is Tre Herndon, who started every game last season, while safety Oren Burks led the team with three interceptions and was third in tackles. Those three were instrumental in Vanderbilt’s defensive improvement in 2015. And when players like Tre Bell transfer, it’s an indication the playing time is locked up.
WEAKNESSES
- Quarterbacks: It was about a year ago when Vanderbilt seemed to have its quarterback situation ironed out following four starters during the 2014 season. Patton Robinette won the job and was set to play up until he decided to go to medical school. Johnny McCrary and Wade Freebeck then took over the competition. Before his January transfer, McCrary started 12 games in two seasons. but Kyle Shurmur took over the job at the end of 2015. McCrary was done in by six touchdowns and 11 interceptions in eight starts against the SEC. Shurmur appears to be the leader to start at QB following the spring. In 2015, he was 44-for-103 passes for 503 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. His best game was in a 53-28 loss at Tennessee when he passed for 209 yards and three TDs. Shurmur is being asked to improve a quarterback position that’s thrown 35 interceptions the past two seasons, and in 17 games have scored less than 18 points.
- Lack of playmakers: Outside of Webb, there is a shortage of playmakers. Vanderbilt had just three passing plays longer than 40 yards last season, fewest in the SEC. Receiver C.J. Duncan made a splash in the spring game, but he was lost for the season last year with an Achilles injury, so it’s difficult to count on much production as he returns to full strength. The team’s best receiver last year, Trent Sherfield, was 11th in the SEC in receptions, and had just three TDs.
- Offensive line: Assistant coach Keven Lightner’s contract was not renewed after last season, and the team hired Cameron Norcross, who previously coached at Nevada and Fresno State. Vanderbilt was fourth from the bottom (tied for 124th) in the nation last year in scoring offense at 15.2 points per game, and 117th in total offense at 326.5 yards per game. The team was also ninth in the SEC with 28 sacks allowed. Vanderbilt will have a new center following the graduation of Spencer Pulley, but tackle Andrew Jelks returns from missing last season with an injury.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
