Vanderbilt Football

Director of radio broadcasting Andrew Allegretta chimes in from fall camp

Welcome to Vandy Voice Memos. I’m excited to take some time during fall camp to provide a few observations from the practice fields and conversations with players, coaches and staff. While Vanderbilt Football is one-of-one, we’re hoping today’s column to be one of three during the month of August as we prep for Hawai’i. From there, we’ll see how it evolves during the season. Thanks for taking a little time to click and read. So, here we go – Vandy Voice Memos.

Sophomore Season

AJ Swann’s freshman campaign was captivating. A skillset that sparkled in games vs. NIU (255 yards, 4 TDs) and Ole Miss (281 yards, 2 TDs). But there was also understandable heartburn after missed time vs. Missouri, Kentucky and Florida.

It all adds up to fascination with what’s possible for Swann in year two. What grabs my attention is the transition from relative unknown to fiercely scouted against. Life is about to get more difficult for Swann as opposing coaches hone their game plans to stop #5. I talked with both Swann and offensive coordinator Joey Lynch about how quarterbacks must evolve as second-year starters.

“The first year you’re really just playing on natural ability a lot,” said Lynch. Thinking back on his time playing quarterback for Ball State, Lynch talked about remembering the mistakes, the misreads, the interceptions. But all of that provides the best learning tool possible: Game tape. “There’s nothing like watching yourself on film. You realize you kind of know things. But there is so much more for you to learn.”

Swann acknowledged Lynch’s assessment of life as a first-year quarterback.

“Last year, base defensive looks I would know. But when they threw crazy stuff at me, I was just thinking go back to what God gave me – my arm,” said the White, Georgia native.

“This season, we’ve worked a lot on seeing coverages pre-snap. We talk in team meetings a lot about what the quarterback sees from defenses that gives away what coverage they’re in.”

Swann has the potential to challenge Vanderbilt’s sophomore passing records. Kyle Shurmur holds the top spot with 2,409 yards in 2016. But taking the next step mentally – and staying healthy – will be paramount.

The best news for Vanderbilt fans is Swann possess a good mixture of humble and confident. Don’t get it twisted – Swann has been a successful three-sport (baseball, basketball and football) athlete for a long time. He started multiple SEC games as a freshman. He believes in himself fully.

But he’s humble enough to ask for help. It was noted earlier this week how Swann connected with Joe Burrow’s quarterback coach to address a throwing problem he was experiencing. That all started with Swann raising his hand.

“I felt like the first couple days (of fall practice) I was missing high on everything,” said Swann. “I asked Coach Lynch what was going on. What we figured out was I was leaning forward, getting on my front foot and getting off-balance.”

“I woke up the next morning and got in (to the facility) at 5:15am and was doing drills on how to get better at it.”

That clear commitment is positive data point Vanderbilt’s sophomore quarterback can excel through the inevitable challenges of year two.

A Brotherhood of Backs

The running back room finds itself with a brighter spotlight this fall.

Ray Davis had a magical season last year. The bruising back ripped off five 100-yard games – good for 3rdmost in a single-season at Vanderbilt (7 by Ralph Webb in 2016 is the record).

So how do the Dores turn the page from 2022 to 2023? Head coach Clark Lea has talked publicly about leaving space for a “feature” back to emerge. But internally the conversations focus more on a collection of running backs impacting the game as a unit.

I talked with running back coach Jayden Everett after practice last week (get to know him, Vandy fans – he’s fantastic). The first-year coach conceded talks with his room can be clear and direct. The offensive staff is asking each running back to embrace their style.

“It’s a band of brothers,” said Coach Everett. “They understand it’s back-by-committee right now. They bought in quickly that, for us to get where we need to go as a team, no one guy can carry the entire load.”

The most interesting part of the conversation for me centered on how coaches know when to change running backs during a game.

A baseball player might say, “I need my at-bats to get going.” A running back could say the same thing. “I need my carries.” From a coach’s perspective – especially with this running back room – it doesn’t really work that way.

Coach Everett noted one situation might call for Patrick Smith and his elusiveness or pass-blocking knowledge. One might call for Chase Gillespie and his between-the-tackles physicality. One might call for Sedrick Alexander’s unique blend of athleticism. And so on.

As you watch/listen to games this year and see backs cycling in and out – keep that in mind.

Vandy Plays on 102.5 The Game & 94.9 The Fan

Back in May we were excited to announce a new Nashville radio affiliate for Vanderbilt Athletics. Starting this year, you can listen to Commodores football, men’s basketball and baseball on 102.5 The Game. Women’s basketball will broadcast on 94.9 The Fan.

It’s important for fans to know Predators’ games take priority on 102.5 The Game in the event of a conflict. This won’t be a factor for the first half of the football season. But as we migrate through October and November, it’s possible for a football game to slide to 94.9 The Fan.

Here’s a simple way to think of it: Go to 102.5 The Game. If you hear a hockey game, switch the station to 94.9 The Fan.

As always if you’re outside the reach of 102.5 The Game or 94.9 The Fan, we encourage Commodore fans to download the Vanderbilt Athletics app and stream our broadcast online.

Vandy Voice Memos will return…