Offensive Takeaways From Vanderbilt Football's Seventh Practice of Fall Camp
In this story:
NASHVILLE—With Vanderbilt's Saturday scrimmage looming, it took the field at the McGugin Center for the first day of a three-day stretch that will include it taking the field every day.
As a result, Vanderbilt's Thursday practice was relatively quiet and didn't include all that many live periods. There were a few noteworthy pieces of practice that Vandy on SI was on hand for, though.
Here's a few offensive takeaways from Vanderbilt's showing.
Ja’Cory Thomas needs some flowers
The criticism surrounding Thomas’ performance was loud in the spring, but he’s clearly better than what he showed when he first arrived on Vanderbilt’s campus. Thomas told Vandy on SI in the spring that he was practicing through a hamstring injury that made it significantly more difficult to create separation. Now, he appears to be proving that the injury was more to attribute to his struggles than his lack of a skillset.
Thomas had perhaps his best day of camp on Thursday and looked like the frontrunner to be Vanderbilt’s second-leading receiver in 2026. Perhaps Thomas won’t do what Vanderbilt receiver Junior Sherrill does in terms of production, but he’s a big-bodied versatile receiver that gives Vanderbilt a different dimension.
In a way, Thomas is what Vanderbilt thought it could’ve had with New Mexico State transfer Trent Hudson a season ago. He’s a real red zone threat, a threat to make chunk plays and a matchup problem. There have been some concentration drops in camp, but Thomas’ camp has generally been encouraging.
Nothing moving on the quarterback competition
Vanderbilt freshman Jared Curtis still has to be the favorite to be the starter and had another fine day. Curtis showed off his arm talent, but also made a freshman throw. Vanderbilt will likely have to live with some of those mistakes, but it appears to be willing to ride the ups and downs with him.
Blaze Berlowitz hasn’t had many outstandingly poor reads and throws since Sunday, but he’s likely not winning this battle unless he’s markedly better than Curtis–and he hasn’t been. Vanderbilt depth quarterback Whit Muschamp has had a solid camp and may be Vanderbilt’s best non Curtis or Berlowitz option at this point.
Jayvontay Conner said he wanted to be more consistent, and he has been
It’s still unlikely that anyone not named Cole Spence is Vanderbilt’s leading receiver in the tight end room, but Conner could give him a run for his money and make a real impact in the receiving game.
Conner always seems to make a few catches every practice and is as confident as anyone in Vanderbilt’s tight end room. That will count for something. Conner is closer to Spence than he is to Vanderbilt’s third stringer in terms of talent, and it may not be that close.
Follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads and Blue Sky for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on Google_(1)-b3e453dfe426b2dd4b83a12540ebdb37.jpeg "Joey Dwyer")
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.
Follow joey_dwy