Offensive Takeaways From Vanderbilt Football's Longest Practice Of Fall Camp
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NASHVILLE---The pads were finally popping at Vanderbilt football's McGugin Center on Tuesday morning as Vanderbilt had its most substantial and longest practice to date.
Vanderbilt has a Wednesday off day and went at it in a number of live periods on Tuesday leading into it. Through six days of camp, Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea still has a relativley healthy team and tested it on Tuesday.
Here's a few takeaways from the action.
Jared Curtis might be coming along
Curtis didn’t make the throw, like he’s knocked everyone’s socks off with on other days, and he still had a few that weren’t quite the idea on Tuesday–but he may be getting this thing. He appears to be trending towards taking ownership of Vanderbilt’s offense.
Like Lea said in the spring; don’t expect Curtis–or any Vanderbilt quarterback–to be Diego Pavia or run the operation as smoothly as he did when they first take the field, but it’s fair to expect more from Curtis than he’s shown thus far in that regard. Tuesday indicated that Curtis has a chance to run the show competently against Austin Peay.
Curtis’ most impressive moment Tuesday didn’t come because of his arm talent–in fact, it wasn’t his most accurate day. Instead, it came when he looked off a safety and fooled him on a play that eventually resulted in a chunk gain.
His processing still has to come along as he learns the intricacies of an offense that Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Tim Beck says is much different than the one he ran at Nashville Christian, but Curtis showed some positive signs on Tuesday.
Vanderbilt’s defense is ahead of its offense at this stage
There was plenty of wrecking happening on Tuesday morning.
Vanderbilt’s offense had its moments and put the ball in the end zone a fair amount during live periods, but–like any healthy early-camp practice–it was outpaced by its defense. A number of run plays were blown up and Vanderbilt’s downfield passing game was stalled by standout cornerback play at times. Too many balls were dropped, as well, particularly by Joseph McVay and Cole Adams.
This offensive trend has been the case in every camp that Beck has been Vanderbilt’s offensive coordinator, so it’s the norm.
A standout list
Sedrick Alexander: Alexander was often the victim of strong defensive line play on Tuesday, but he broke off a big one or two and was strong in short-yardage situations. It’s been a good, but relatively quiet camp for Alexander–what does he really have to prove at this point?
Cole Spence: In a similar way, Spence doesn’t have all that much to prove. He’s been relatively consistent as a receiver, though, and appeared to be a safety-blanket of sorts for Vanderbilt’s quarterbacks. That’s a role he says he takes real pride in.
Clinton Azubukie: Azubukie has stood out physically, but had a few strong individual reps on Tuesday morning that indicated he can hold his own despite getting pushed back in pass protection at times.
Kahden Smith: Smith had a nice spring, but appeared to be a relative afterthought on the depth chart heading into the summer. Now, though, Smith has to be in the conversation for at least some playing time after bringing it every day early in camp. At the very least, he’s been much more impressive than fellow freshman and one-time Alabama flip Owen Cabell.
Junior Sherrill: Sherrill continues to stack impressive days after a spotty day one of camp and is Vanderbilt’s clear leader in the wide receiver room. He’s been its best performer to this point by a somewhat significant amount.
MK Young: Young can really catch passes and is almost assuredly going to be Vanderbilt’s best receiving back in 2026. Perhaps Alexander will limit Young some in the run game and his absurd yards per carry numbers won’t quite hold, but he’ll make a real impact in the receiving game.
Some notable limitations
Alabama transfer offensive lineman Micah DeBose wasn’t a full participant in Tuesday’s practice. Veteran Tight end Walter Taylor and sophomore receiver Kayleb Barnett were both in red jerseys and limited.
There may be a clearer path to playing time for Izayah Lee than other depth running backs
The buzz surrounded freshman back Evan Hampton entering the fall, but Lee appears to have a clearer path to a role right away. Hampton is shifty, but Lee gives it more physicality than it has elsewhere and could find the field in short-yardage situations.
Lee isn’t a finished product and has to be less vertical at times, but he has a real ceiling.
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Joey Dwyer is the lead writer on Vanderbilt Commodores On SI. He found his first love in college sports at nearby Lipscomb University and decided to make a career of telling its best stories. He got his start doing a Notre Dame basketball podcast from his basement as a 14-year-old during COVID and has since aimed to make that 14-year-old proud. Dwyer has covered Vanderbilt sports for three years and previously worked for 247 Sports and Rivals. He contributes to Seth Davis' Hoops HQ, Basket Under Review and Mainstreet Nashville.
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