AU FOOTBALL 2008: Vandy hoping to replace key players

By Collin Mickle

Published: June 11, 2008

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the sixth in a series previewing Auburn’s 2008 football opponents. This week: Vanderbilt (Oct. 4). The series will run weekly.

When it comes to Southeastern Conference football, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Every year is a tough slog for Vandy, the SEC’s only private school. The Commodores routinely lack depth, playmakers and big names. Vandy has never won an SEC championship and hasn’t finished with a winning record since 1982.

Even last season, with star wide receiver Earl Bennett, a senior-laden offense and a first-round NFL draft pick in offensive tackle Chris Williams, the Commodores struggled. Vandy finished 5-7 overall and 2-6 in SEC play in 2007.

This year doesn’t look any better. Bennett, the SEC’s all-time leader in receptions, is gone.

So is Williams, Vandy’s second first-round pick since 1986, plus six other starters on offense.

Almost the only familiar face on offense belongs to quarterback — except that the Commodores aren’t sure who he’ll be. Senior Chris Nickson and junior Mackenzi Adams are both back after splitting time at the position last season.

Neither managed to complete 56 percent of his passes or average 100 yards passing per game.

Nickson, who was slowed by a sore shoulder in the second half of 2007, edged ahead of Adams during spring practice. But Adams could win the job in fall practice or if Nickson struggles once the season starts.

Sophomore Jared Funk and redshirt freshman Larry Smith could be in the mix, though neither has any college experience.

Last season, Vandy averaged a respectable 150 rushing yards per game — more than Alabama and Tennessee and not much less than Auburn’s 156. Starter Cassen Jackson-Garrison is gone, but senior Jeff Jennings, his likely replacement, could improve on those numbers.

Jennings, a power runner with 16 career touchdowns, will likely share carries for speedy junior Jared Hawkins, who averaged 4.4 yards per carry in ’07.

It’s safe to say the receiving corps will miss Bennett, who set the SEC’s career receptions record with 236 catches in just three seasons.

Starters George Smith and Sean Walker will have to adjust to life without Bennett, who was usually double- and triple-teamed. Now, those defenders will focus on Smith and Walker, who combined for 52 catches last year. (Bennett had 75.)

Juniors Justin Wheeler and Alex Washington combined for 19 catches last season but should both play bigger roles in Bennett’s absence.

The offensive line lost all five starters, who combined for 160 career starts. The Commodores spent spring practice searching for replacements from an inexperienced group of former backups; the process will continue into preseason practice.

For now, the lineup features five juniors: Thomas Welch and Eric Hensley are penciled in at the tackle spots, with Brad Vierling at center and Ryan Custer and Drew Gardner at the guard spots. Sophomore Joey Bailey is also a contender at center, and redshirt freshmen Kyle Fischer and James Williams could get a look at tackle.

The defense will miss several key players, notably linebacker Jonathan Goff. But with seven returning starters, the unit will have to carry an inexperienced offense at times.

That starts up front, where starting defensive tackles Theo Horrocks and Gabe Hall are gone. Junior Greg Billinger and Adam Smotherman are the likely starters inside.

Junior Broderick Stewart is back at defensive end after leading the team with six sacks last season. Junior Steven Stone and sophomore Theron Kadri will split time at the other starting spot.

Junior Patrick Benoist is expected to replace Goff at middle linebacker, with junior Brandon Bryant and sophomore John Stokes the other starters. Bryant has had injury problems and will be challenged by sophomore Nathan Campbell for the starting job at weakside linebacker.

The defensive backfield returns five players with starting experience. Juniors D.J. Moore and Myron Lewis are the top starters at cornerback.
Moore, a second-team All-SEC pick last season, had six interceptions. Lewis will compete with junior Darlron Spead for the other starting spot.

At safety, three-year starters Reshard Langford and Ryan Hamilton both return. Hamilton struggled at times in coverage and could be challenged by junior Brent Trice or former cornerback Joel Caldwell.

| 737-2561

Auburn at Vanderbilt
Date: Oct. 4
Location: Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
2007 Record: 5-7
Final Ranking: None
Bowl: None
Returning starters: 10
All-Time Record vs. AU: 19-20-1
Last Meeting: 2007 (AU won, 35-7, at Jordan-Hare Stadium)