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VU announces depth chart for season opener
NASHVILLE
– At least 16 Commodores with previous starting experience are expected
to be in the opening lineup next Thursday night when Vanderbilt hosts
Ole Miss before a national television audience.
At a press
conference to announce the team's opening game depth chart on
Wednesday, Franklin said three starting jobs remain up for grabs as the
Commodores start their final week of preparations for the season
opener. Coaches will wait to make a decision on starters at running
back, one of two defensive tackle roles, and at punter.
As
expected, Franklin announced redshirt senior Austyn Carta-Samuels,
named as a co-captain two days ago, will be the Commodores' starting
quarterback. Carta-Samuels, who started in last year's Vanderbilt win
over Presbyterian, earned the job after competing with sophomore Josh
Grady, redshirt freshman Patton Robinette and true freshman Johnny
McCrary.
Potentially, all 11 offensive starters for the Commodores against Ole Miss could have previous starting experience.
The
team's defensive depth chart features up to six seniors who are
returning this year after starting as juniors. At least five defenders,
including three linemen, could enjoy their initial career starts versus
Ole Miss.
Three running backs, all with valuable
experience in the Commodore backfield, are competing to replace
two-time All-Southeastern Conference recipient and current St. Louis
Ram Zac Stacy. The three are redshirt senior Wesley Tate, redshirt
sophomore Jerron Seymour and sophomore Brian Kimbrow. In 2011, Tate
started for the Commodores as a wide receiver.
Competition
remains at two line positions. Redshirt junior Chase White and redshirt
sophomore Jake Bernstein, both former starters, are competing at one of
the offensive guard positions. Senior Jared Morse and redshirt freshman
Adam Butler also are competing for a starting job at defensive
tackle.
Redshirt sophomore Taylor Hudson and redshirt
freshman Colby Cooke also are competing to become the team's primary
punter.
Either Morse or Butler will start
alongside redshirt junior Vince Taylor, who is expected to enjoy his
initial collegiate start. Besides Taylor, other Commodores expected to
become first-time starters are redshirt junior defensive end Kyle
Woestmann, sophomore linebacker Darreon Herring and senior cornerback
Steven Clarke.
Redshirt senior offensive tackle Wesley Johnson will make his team-high 39th consecutive start against Ole Miss.
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