Okay… the plan today was to do a lot of watching in the scrimmage portion and giving you some details of what went on.
That absolutely got blown up three plays in.
There was some sort of altercation between a couple of players, and then a few more guys jumped in in an unhelpful manner and coach Clark Lea about lost his mind, at which point there was a lot of running and up-downs and other assorted conditioning-related stuff, and then practice ended 15 minutes early and Lea addressed that in about the first four minutes of the video with us.
So, since there wasn’t much to evaluate today, I’ll give you some big-picture stuff, starting with how I think the two-deep depth chart will end this spring.

OFFENSE
QB Swann/Seals
RB P. Smith/Gillespie
WR Sheppard/Walker
WR Skinner/Carter
WR McGowan/Wilson Long
TE Spence/Ball
LT Hansen/Nelson
LG Castillo/Harber
C Hernandez/Morgan
RG Ashmore/Pitchford
RT Uzebu/Nelson

Notes:

• I’m not entirely sure about the backup spot at right guard, and I think Kevo Wesley could be working some there too.
• I also am not sure if Nelson will back up both tackles, I’ve missed some time recently and will keep an eye on that a little more. Charlie Clark has also been getting some worth at LT.
• At WR, Jayden McGowan and Will Sheppard have been both working their way back from things and have been limited at times, particularly, McGowan.
• I wasn’t there Tuesday but apparently they officially anointed AJ Swann as the starting QB, which his no surprise.
• The only early enrollee on offense is RB Sedrick Alexander, which isn’t new news but just wanted to put that out there for anyone who missed it.
• Jake Ketschek is out with injury and will miss most/all of 2023. Ketschek might have been the backup at RT.

DEFENSE
DE Clifton/Agu
DT Davis/Outtara
DT James/Lee
Star DiCosmo/Diakate
LB Kane Patterson/Langston Patterson
LB Barr/Cowan
Anchor CJ Taylor/Crisp
CB Richard/Berry
CB Anderson/Gaskins
FS Mahoney/Sannienola
SS De’Rickey Wright/Howse

Notes:
- There were three plays in the scrimmage today before it was halted, Aeneas DiCosmo had a sack on the first play and Brayden Bapst on the second.
- I saw Miles Capers out there today but not participating in practice, though doing some light stuff on the side, Capers would have started at the star position last year if not for a preseason knee injury.

• The only two early enrollees out there on defense are Ethan Crisp and Jailen Ruth.
• Not sure how this translates but DB Taco Wright was clearly the best-conditioned player on the team in the punishment phase of practice today.

There’s a scrimmage on Saturday morning, I or someone from our staff will try to be there and bring you some insight we weren’t able to bring today by the nature of the practice plan changing.

I remember him playing on that really good, 30 win Mizzou team.

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Most seem to agree that this team needs a proven post (i.e., better than QMB, 10 pts, 10 boards, a block or 2 pg), and likely a solid 4, to get to the dance next year (along with a NET friendly schedule strategy and pre-conference urgency). We currently do not have room for any portal transfers, and with there being a good chance that JW is back, may not have any room. So how would you manage the roster this off-season - actively or passively in terms of making room, or somewhere in the middle?

I read where Notre Dame has hired Micah Shrewsberry, which seems to be a great hire to me. Anyone else have a thought on a school that gets an A for its coaching hire?

This is the way college basketball is meant to be played. High energy, up and down the court. Kansas State leads by 5 with 1:44 to play.

Kansas State has 10 guys via the portal. Michigan State has none. Fascinating how the two programs arrived here with vastly different mindsets.

That was probably the most enjoyable seasons in 6-9 years.

Props to that team, those kids, those coaches and this fanbase for fighting until the bitter end. We had a ton of injury issues but it was next man up all season long.

I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I’m really excited for the 23-24 basketball season and I haven’t been able to say that for a long time.

The off-season matters so we’re going to need to see who stays and who goes but we won’t have those refs against that team very often and I like my chances with Filet and Tyrin on most nights. We need to start better, stronger and finish every game as if the nerds are making the decisions. Margin of victory matters, noted.

I think Stackhouse is pissed and ready to show some people what time it is, and I think he’s capable.

Fun year, lots of old fans are back and that’s exciting.

I’m going to Springfield to meet @wayne4vu for ice cream, so that’s at least one more for next season.

Love y’all!

Had lunch today with a former client who is a baseball booster. I was told there are baseball projects soon to be announced that will be in the “10s of millions” for further upgrades to the Hawk etc including premium seating options (which I assume would be suites).

Wanted to share with the board

I just looked at my phone and the Lipscomb game is rescheduled for March 28 at 6:00PM.

All seats GA for $5. They include a link for folks who bought tickets to the original game.

Ok, here is my problem:

Just say come to game and all seats are GA. Don't charge folks $5 - that's not enough to amount to a hill of beans anyway (as my mother used to say, may she rest in peace). Make sure everyone gets help getting a refund if they paid and just say come on down to the Hawk on us for the Lipscomb game.

VU just trying to make a few bucks as usual.

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VandySports.com : How was the Vanderbilt visit?

Tyshon Reed: "It was amazing. It really opened my eyes to how good the school is."

VS: What stood out to you?

Reed: "Honestly, it was watching the practice. It was great seeing the team get after it and compete like they did along with the coaches and how they push the players made it stand out to me."

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VandySports.com : How was the Vanderbilt visit?

Aaron Duncan: "It went well for sure. The hospitality stood out the most. I felt welcomed as if I had been there for years already. Plus, the competition was great, and those guys really get after it."

Tickets are listed as $5.00 (plus fees) general admission. Sounds great until "fees" are listed as $5.00 total. Therefore, tickets are $10.00. Are you serious ??????

Vandy and Lipscomb have rescheduled their rain out baseball game for next Tuesday at 6:00 pm at Hawkins Field.

I spent my birthday last year watching Little get rocked by LSU, hoping this year is better. If anyone has tickets for a single or multiple games over the weekend I’m looking to buy 4. We are driving up to Nashville from Huntsville and looking to make a weekend out of it.

Thanks!!

Presented by Sutherland & Belk, get ‘em in quickly.

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Just got home and working on that now.

Y’all showed out and were loud af. Props.

How much room will we have? We are going to need at least two, IMO

This weekend......

Nm

Regardless of what you think about him pretty big coup for the Red Storm

An Alabama db got into some trouble recently and clocked doing 141 mph fleeing the scene.
He said there is no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time and that it is our choices that put us in places....I'm not getting the wording exactly right but that's the sense of what he said. Put ol Nate Oats in his place. He suspended the player and he is to have zero team contact or involvement.
If we stay neutral on our view of him...pretty gutsy to take a jab at a fellow coach at same school in search of a National title.

I was only able to get a sampling of his press conference, anyone have it or could link it?

This is the official game thread.