ESPN College Football

2011 record: 6-7
2011 conference record: 2-6
Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 3

Top returners:
WR Chris Boyd, WR Jordan Matthews, QB Jordan Rodgers, RB Zac Stacy, OG Ryan Seymour, C Wesley Johnson, LB Archibald Barnes, Chase Garnham, DT Rob Lohr, CB Trey Wilson

Key losses:
TE Brandon Barden, OT Kyle Fischer, DE Tim Fugger, LB Chris Marve, CB Casey Hayward, S Sean Richardson

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Zac Stacy* (1,193 yards)
Passing: Jordan Rodgers* (1,524 yards)
Receiving: Jordan Matthews* (778 yards)
Tackles: Chris Marve (91)
Sacks: Tim Fugger (8)
Interceptions: Casey Hayward (7)

Spring answers

1. Finding more leaders: Vanderbilt coach James Franklin wanted to leave spring with more leaders than started with. By his accounts, a few veterans stepped up with guys like Marve, Fugger, Hayward and Fischer gone. Franklin said that if the Commodores were going to build off of last season's success, some veterans had to step up and take hold of the team. Guys like Jordan Rodgers, Chase Garnham, Walker May, Trey Wilson and Zac Stacy really expanded their roles as leaders and will be leaned on even more this fall.

2. Marve's replacement: Finding someone to take over for Marve in the locker room was one thing, but filling his position on the field is another. Exiting the spring, Franklin thinks he found the perfect player for the job in Garnham. He moved from the outside to the middle and really excelled at Marve's old position. Garnham was one of the Vanderbilt's most consistent defensive players this spring and the coaches expect to perform this fall.

3. More playmakers: The Commodores return much of their offense this season, but it sounds like the coaches found a few more players. People know about Stacy and receivers Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, but a few other players caught the coaches' eyes like redshirt freshmen Josh Grady and Kris Kentera, who were former quarterbacks. Grady showed his versatility by playing all over the field at receiver, running back and as a wildcat quarterback. It looks like Kentera earned some playing time at H-back this fall, helping to take pressure off Matthews and Boyd.

Fall questions

1. Offensive line: Spring practices have not addressed any of the issues the Commodores have on the offensive line. Ryan Seymour and Chase White began spring by rehabbing injuries, leaving Vandy with just nine healthy bodies up front. As spring went on, Franklin said there were times when his team sometimes had just seven linemen to work with. It was bad enough that Vandy rarely went through practices with a full offensive line taking reps. Six true freshmen linemen will enroll at Vandy this fall, but there's no question this unit is the biggest worry for the Commodores.

2. Quarterback consistency: While Rogers made improvements to his game, he still showed the inconsistency that frustrated Franklin last season. There's no question he has the athletic ability to be a solid starter in this league, but he sometimes fails to stand tall in the pocket and deliver solid throws when things collapse around him. That kind of play really hurt Vandy's offense last season. He was pushed by 2009 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year Austyn Carta-Samuels during the spring and the battle is expected to continue through fall camp.

3. Warren Norman's health: After missing all of the 2011 season with a knee injury, Norman returned to the practice field this spring. Though he was non-contact, he showed some improvement in his mobility. It's still unclear how healthy Norman will be and if really complement Stacy in the running game. Rising sophomore Jerron Seymour is the one other returning running back that registered carries last season.

Missouri was one of the first SEC schools to get football practice started this spring, so Saturday counted as a big step for the Tigers, as they went through their first spring scrimmage Saturday.

Led by seven takeaways, Missouri's defense won the scrimmage 19-7. Sophomore defensive end Kony Ealy forced two fumbles, recovering one, broke up two passes and registered a quarterback hurry. Junior linebacker Andrew Wilson also recorded an interception and recovered a fumble. Sophomore cornerback Xavier Smith and redshirt freshman corner Ernest Payton each grabbed an interception as well.

While the defense dominated Saturday's session, the offense was without a number of key players, including starting quarterback James Franklin, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, left tackle Elvis Fisher (knee), running back Henry Josey (knee), and wide receiver L'Damian Washington (hamstring).

That didn't stop the offense from getting a couple of scores, though. Junior quarterback Ashton Glaser recorded the first score of the day when he connected with senior receiver Rolandis Woodland on a fade in traffic for a 6-yard touchdown pass. Senior running back Kendial Lawrence came up with the second score with a 19-yard run. Lawrence finished the day with 12 rushes for a team-best 61 yards.

Senior Gahn McGaffie led all receivers with eight catches and 75 receiving yards, while senior T.J. Moe had five catches for 54 yards.

With Franklin out, redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser got the start and completed 10 of 25 passes for 105 yards. Berkstresser didn't turn the ball over and closed the day when he led the No. 1 offense down field against the No. 1 nickel defense for a field goal in two-minute drill work. He capped the drive with a nice 24-yard scramble to get out of bounds with less than 5 seconds left. That play set up Trey Barrow for a 33-yard field goal to close the series.

You can check out the scrimmage stats on Missouri's official website.

Florida also went through its first practice weekend. Michael DiRocco of ESPN's GatorNation has a slew of info on the Gators' first practice in pads.

One thing that sticks out in DiRocco's observation is that the quarterbacks didn't have much success throwing the ball downfield.

DiRocco writes:

"[Jeff] Driskel, Jacoby Brissett and [Tyler] Murphy had a lot of success completing passes in the 10- to 15-yard range, but were unable to get the ball down the field. Each quarterback did complete deep balls over the two days, but it was rare to see any completions of 20 or more yards that weren't sideline or seam patters. No deep ins or outs. It's understandable that they would struggle, though, because it is only the first week of practice, and the Gators' secondary is pretty good."

Obviously, that will come with more practice, but it's something to keep an eye on as the Gators progress through the spring.

Vanderbilt also went through its first weekend of spring practice. Coach James Franklin praised his players for the energy and attitude they brought to Friday's opening practice.

"I thought our energy was much better," Franklin said. "I think we’re obviously in much better shape. We had a hard time practicing like that last year. We’ve come a long way. I still have much higher expectations and I think our guys do, too. For the first day, I thought it was pretty good."

After a lengthy 11-on-11 team drill, Franklin ended practice with a series of competitive 1-on-1 tire pulls.

With depth issues at running back, wide receiver Wesley Tate got work out of the backfield Friday. He started off his career as a running back at Vandy, and will continue to work there throughout the spring.

Three quarterbacks also took snaps for the Commodores, as last year's starter Jordan Rodgers, Wyoming transfer Austyn Carta-Samuels and early enrollee Patton Robinette all shared reps. This is expected to be an intense battle for the Commodores this spring and will receive a ton of attention from Franklin.

"The area I talked to the guys about after practice is we have to do a better job throwing the ball during competitive periods," he said. "That’s something we have to talk to them about in the offseason. I don’t think we’re doing a very good job of that."

James Franklin will surely point to all sorts of things his team can do better in what was his head coaching debut Saturday night.

A lot went right, too, starting with the way the Commodores finished the game.

After Elon pulled within 21-14 early in the third quarter, Vanderbilt scored the game's final 24 points to roll to a 42-14 victory.

While the Commodores were outgained in total offense (323 yards to 309 yards), they forced three turnovers and didn't have any turnovers of their own. They went for it three times on fourth down and converted all three and scored a defensive touchdown on Trey Wilson's 21-yard interception return.

It was also a good sign for the Commodores to see some new faces making big plays. Sophomore receiver Chris Boyd had a pair of touchdown catches, and Wesley Tate also scored on a 23-yard touchdown run.

They have to continue to develop playmakers on the offensive side of the ball if they're going to be any kind of factor in the East this season.

The Texas A&M hoopla continues to grow every day, but here's a chance for you to check out teams already in the SEC.

• Talented defensive back Senquez Golson turns down the Boston Red Sox to play football at Ole Miss this fall.
• With depth issues at wide receiver, Vanderbilt's Wesley Tate is moving from running back to the slot.
• Redshirt freshman wide receiver DeAndrew White is causing quite a stir at Alabama's practices and has the talent to be the Tide's next go-to receiver.
• Mississippi State is toying with the idea of playing safety Johnthan Banks on offense.
• After an up-and-down freshman season, Florida linebacker/defensive end Ronald Powell is looking to be a leader for the Gators.
• A lot is being expected from wide receivers Trovon Reed and DeAngelo Benton at Auburn, and the coaches are hoping they can withstand the riggers of a full season.
• Even with Arkansas' crowded backfield, Marquel Wade is making a good impression during preseason camp.
• Tennessee wants to get more push from its defensive tackles this fall.
• Center Dan Wenger is hoping his concussions are in the past and is focused on his second chance at Florida.
• LSU is still searching for someone to step up at middle linebacker, as Kevin Minter and Karnell Hatcher battle it out.
• Georgia coach Mark Richt says Ray Drew was "very fortunate" his scooter accident wasn't worse, but this isn't the first time scooters have been a problem for the Bulldogs.

Wednesday's blog about the Pony Express Award Watch List certainly garnered a lot of attention from SEC fans.

No one seemed overly upset with the tandems listed. It was more about the tandems that were left off that got some fans all hot and bothered.

There were a few combos that I thought would make the list, but not everyone can. It just doesn't work that way.

But that's the beauty of this blog. You people have expressed your frustration and I've looked at the numbers. So here are some other tandems around the league that you should keep your eyes on this fall:

Arkansas: LB/S Jerico Nelson, LB Jerry Franklin -- Franklin and Nelson led the Razorbacks in tackles last season, combining for 187, including 24 for loss. Franklin was second on the team with 6.5 sacks, while Nelson had 2.5.

Florida: DE/LB Ronald Powell, DT Sharrif Floyd, DT Dominique Easley -- This young group could be the heart of Florida's defense this fall. Powell should be the Gators top pass rusher off the edge, while Floyd and Easley should plug holes and frustrate offensive linemen when they line up next to each other.

Georgia: QB Aaron Murray, WR Tavarres King, TE Orson Charles: These will be Murray's main playmakers to start the season. King moved to A.J. Green's flanker spot and showed this spring that he's ready to be the guy. Charles is athletic enough to flex out and play receiver and should be even better in his third season. Both combined for 926 yards and five touchdowns last fall.

Georgia: LB Christian Robinson, LB Jarvis Jones, LB Alec Ogletree -- Alabama might have the most intimidating group of linebackers, but Georgia could have the fastest, most athletic. Robinson is the leader in the middle and Ogletree will be a tackling machine alongside him. Jones should help lessen the blow of losing Justin Houston outside and could be a more complete player than Houston.

Mississippi State: QB Chris Relf, RB Vick Ballard -- Relf showed last fall that he's one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league, rushing for 713 yards and five touchdowns while passing for 1,789 and 13 more scores. That second number should increase this fall. Ballard rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and scored 19 rushing touchdowns in 2010. These two should be quite the combo this fall.

Mississippi State: CB Johnthan Banks, CB Corey Broomfield, S Charles Mitchell, S Nickoe Whitley -- The Bulldogs might have the most athletic defensive backfield around. This group is a big play waiting to happen. Banks, Broomfield and Whitley each had three interceptions last season, while Mitchell was third on the team with 94 total tackles in 2010.

Ole Miss: RB Brandon Bolden, Jeff Scott -- Bolden was one of the SEC's top rushers a year ago, gaining 976 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns. Scott added 429 yards and three scores and he's the home run threat in the Rebels' backfield. He and Bolden will get a lot more action this fall with Ole Miss throwing an inexperienced quarterback onto the field this fall.

Tennessee: QB Tyler Bray, WR Justin Hunter, WR Da'Rick Rogers -- This group grabbed the most votes from fans out there. Hunter showed he’s a playmaker by turning his 16 receptions into 415 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010. Rogers had a very impressive spring and will start opposite Hunter. Rogers can play both receiver and in the backfield, so expect his touches to dramatically increase this fall. Bray went 4-1 as a starter and set Tennessee freshman records for passing yards (1,849) and touchdowns (18).

Vanderbilt: RB Warren Norman, RB Zac Stacy, RB Wesley Tate -- This group didn't put up monster numbers in 2010, but it will be the strength of the Commodores offense this season. Norman should be fully healthy this fall and will be the lead horse, while Stacy should continue to put up solid numbers. Tate might be the most athletic of the bunch and he's bigger than Norman and Stacy.

2010 overall record: 2-10

2010 conference record: 1-7

Returning starters

Offense: 11, defense: 8, kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

QB Larry Smith, RB Warren Norman, TE Brandon Barden, OG Kyle Fischer, DE Tim Fugger, LB Chris Marve, CB Casey Hayward, SS Sean Richardson

Key losses

DE Theron Kadri, LB John Stokes, LB Nate Campbell

2010 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Warren Norman* (459 yards)

Passing: Larry Smith* (1,262 yards)

Receiving: Brandon Barden* (425 yards)

Tackles: Sean Richardson* (98)

Sacks: Rob Lohr* (4)

Interceptions: Casey Hayward* (6)

Spring answers

1. No more introductions needed. First-year coach James Franklin has already put his stamp on the program with his energy, charisma and enthusiasm. More importantly, the players understand what he expects and how this new staff goes about its business. Franklin has emphasized that it’s a new day at Vanderbilt and doesn’t want anybody associated with the program getting bogged down in what has or hasn’t happened in the past.

2. Wesley Tate emerges in the backfield. The running back stable is shaping up to be one of the strongest parts of Vanderbilt’s team next fall, especially with Tate having a big spring and showcasing a blend of size, power and speed the Commodores have lacked over the years. Now that he’s healthy, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound sophomore should complement Norman and Zac Stacy extremely well.

3. The secondary remains rock solid. The Commodores were very good in the secondary last season and should be even better in 2011. Senior cornerback Casey Hayward and senior strong safety Sean Richardson are two of the best players at their positions in the league. Free safety Kenny Ladler was one of the top freshman defenders in the league last season, and junior cornerback Trey Wilson was good enough this spring that he might beat out returning starter Eddie Foster at the other cornerback spot.

Fall questions

1. Can Larry Smith take a big step at quarterback? Now a senior, Smith feels like he’s fundamentally better and more equipped to consistently lead this offense having tutored under new quarterbacks coach Ricky Rahne and Franklin this spring. Smith still has to prove it in the games, though, after completing just 47 percent of his passes and throwing 10 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions the past two seasons.

2. How will it shake out on the offensive line? The Commodores are thin on depth and experience up front and wound up moving several guys around this spring. When fall camp opens, they will resume their search for the right combination and will be holding their breath that they don’t get anybody hurt. One or two injuries on the offensive line could prove disastrous.

3. Who are the down-the-field playmakers? A big part of Smith’s struggles the past two seasons has centered around the fact that the Commodores simply haven’t had many receivers who could consistently make plays down the field and keep defenses honest. Sophomore Jordan Matthews showed some promise this spring, but he’s going to need help.

With spring officially over in the SEC world, it’s time to take another look at some of the guys who surprised this spring.

After the first weekend of spring games, guys like LSU wide receiver Kadron Boone and South Carolina offensive lineman A.J. Cann drew high praise from their respective coaches.

Here’s a look at the players from the past two weeks of spring games who helped get their names out there:

Alabama

RB Eddie Lacy -- Last season, Lacy’s production was hindered because of a problem with fumbling. Lacy helped shake that stigma with a strong spring and appears to have secured the No. 2 running back spot. He finished the spring game with 74 yards (44 rushing, 30 receiving).

WR Brandon Gibson -- The fifth-year senior had a productive spring not only at wideout, but he’s becoming more of a leader for the Tide. He's always been a special-teams workhorse, but he's looking to make a name at receiver. He recorded five catches for 53 yards, including a long of 27, in Alabama’s spring game.

Arkansas

S Eric Bennett -- The sophomore from Tulsa, Okla., made it a battle this spring at the strong safety position with senior Elton Ford. Bennett was a quarterback in high school and has an edge to him that all coaches like. Whether he wins the starting job or not, he’s proved that he can help the Hogs in the secondary in 2011.

RB Ronnie Wingo, Jr. -- With the season Knile Davis had a year ago, a lot of people forgot about Wingo. But he came back this spring and showed his big-play capability both as a ball carrier and pass-catcher. He rushed for 62 yards on 11 carries in the spring game.

Auburn

DE Joel Bonomolo – The junior college transfer was injured all of 2010, and while he’s still a bit raw, he led the defense during the spring game with six tackles, three for a loss, including two sacks. He still has some things to learn, but he finished the spring on the right track heading into the offseason.

RB Anthony Morgan -- Morgan has moved all over the field during his Auburn career, but seemed to make a statement at running back this spring. He finished the spring game with a team-high 57 yards on six carries, and if he continues to improve, coach Gene Chizik said he could earn playing time this fall.

Georgia

DT Kwame Geathers -- The sophomore noseguard was one of the biggest surprises of the spring for the Bulldogs. He was named the defensive MVP for spring practice by Georgia’s coaches and had four tackles, including two for loss, in the spring game.

RB Ken Malcome -- Injured for part of the spring and seemingly buried on the depth chart, Malcome showed some of his bulldozing ability in the spring game. He's the kind of downhill runner the Bulldogs want in their offense, and if he's healthy he could contribute. He scored the game-winning, 12-yard touchdown and finished with 39 yards on the ground.

Kentucky

DE Collins Ukwu -- A starter a year ago, Ukwu only had one sack all season and none in SEC games. Look for that to change in 2011. He’s gotten bigger and stronger, adding to his great speed, and was a force this spring. He had two tackles for loss, including a sack, in the spring game.

WR Brian Adams -- The Wildcats were looking for dependable playmakers at receiver following the loss of Randall Cobb and Chris Matthews, and even though Adams split his time between football and baseball, he was as consistent as anybody. He was the star of the spring game with seven catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Ole Miss

WR Vincent Sanders -- The redshirt freshman looked like the playmaker the Rebels had desperately searched for at times this spring. Like most of the other receivers, he was inconsistent at times, but finished the spring game with a game-high 96 receiving yards and a touchdown on four catches.

S Brishen Mathews -- Mathews worked his way into the No. 1 strong safety spot exiting spring. He was a pleasant surprise for the Rebels’ secondary and finished the spring game tying for a game-high eight tackles.

Tennessee

DT Daniel Hood -- After spending last season on the offensive line, Hood moved to defense and exited the spring as one of the starters at tackle. The Vols are extremely thin inside on the defensive line, and Hood gives them another big, athletic body in there.

RB Rajion Neal -- After carrying the ball just 46 times last season, Neal emerged this spring as a nice complement to Tauren Poole. Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is looking for two No. 1' at running back, and Neal showed some big-play ability the Vols were missing a year ago.

Vanderbilt

DT Colt Nichter -- With the injuries the Commodores were forced to weather up front last season, Nichter stepped in and played very well. But this spring, he showed signs of becoming a star and was a disruptive presence in every scrimmage. He had two sacks and two pass breakups in the spring game.

RB Wesley Tate -- The two big names in the Commodores’ backfield last season were Warren Norman and Zac Stacy, but get ready to add a third name to that equation. The 225-pound Tate showcased power and speed this spring and will add a different dimension to the Vanderbilt running game now that he’s healthy.

Spring game: 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Questions answered: One of the things first-year Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and his staff made sure to do this spring, especially with the slate wiped clean, was to experiment a little. They looked at several different players in several different spots to get a better feel for their personnel and what the depth chart would look like once preseason camp begins. Senior quarterback Larry Smith still has to prove it in the fall after completing just 47 percent of his passes and throwing 10 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions the past two seasons, but he made major strides from a fundamentals standpoint this spring under the tutelage of quarterbacks coach Ricky Rahne. Smith said he also feels more equipped to handle what defenses will throw at him next season thanks to the work he’s put in the film room with Rahne.

Questions unanswered: Other than senior All-SEC performer Chris Marve in the middle, the Commodores are still trying to sort things out at linebacker. Juniors Tristan Strong and Archibald Barnes and sophomore Chase Garnham are the leading candidates to line up alongside Marve, but some of the incoming freshmen could factor into the equation as well. The Commodores are also frighteningly thin in the offensive line. For much of the spring, they only had eight or nine healthy bodies up front to practice with and not much experience. One of the things they looked at was sophomore Wesley Johnson shifting from left tackle to center. Senior Kyle Fischer, Vanderbilt’s most-experienced offensive lineman, got some work at right tackle after starting all 12 games at right guard last season.

Spring stars: From a size/speed combination, sophomore running back Wesley Tate was one of Vanderbilt’s most-impressive offensive performers this spring. The big thing with the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Tate was that he was finally 100 percent healthy and gives the Commodores a dimension in the backfield they haven’t had the past few seasons. Sophomore Jordan Matthews emerged as the Commodores’ go-to receiver and showed a penchant for making big plays down the field, something they sorely missed a year ago. And on defense, junior cornerback Trey Wilson played his way into a potential starting job opposite Casey Hayward and looks to be one of the more improved players on the team.

Of note: Don’t be surprised if the Commodores have five defensive backs on the field for much of the time next season. The secondary is clearly the strength of this team. Safeties Sean Richardson and Kenny Ladler have also been impressive this spring. … Franklin is eager to get a closer look at junior quarterback Jordan Rodgers in the fall. Rodgers, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, was still recovering from shoulder surgery this spring and wasn’t able to throw much, but Franklin likes his demeanor and presence. … Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop was known for his innovative schemes at William & Mary. In his four seasons there, William & Mary averaged 14 interceptions per season. … Junior running back Warren Norman, Vanderbilt’s leading rusher each of the past two seasons, missed the entire spring while recovering from wrist surgery. … Franklin has gone out of his way to promote Sunday’s Black & Gold spring game, which will include a fireworks show after the game and live music and an autograph session prior to the game. He said about 50 former Vanderbilt players are also scheduled to be on hand.

Who are the SEC’s fastest football players entering the 2011 season?

I think it's pretty safe to say the fastest is Florida’s Jeff Demps, who last month won his second consecutive NCAA indoor national championship in the 60 meters with a school-record 6.53, helping the Gators win back-to-back team national championships.

Demps, a senior running back for the Gators, also won the NCAA outdoor national championship last year with a wind-aided 9.96 in the 100 meters. He set a national high school record in 2008 in the 100 meters with a 10.01 at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The guy can fly and is easily one of the most feared breakaway threats in the SEC.

After Demps, we did some polling around the league to come up with the fastest guy on each team.

In several cases, there were two or three guys who were pretty close. The other thing to remember is that there’s track speed and then there’s football speed, not to mention the fact that all 40-yard dash times aren’t created equal.

Here’s what we came up with after talking to several people around the league:

ALABAMA
Senior receiver Marquis Maze: On a team brimming with speed, Maze is one of those guys nobody catches if he gets a step. With Julio Jones gone, he steps into the No. 1 receiver role next season for the Crimson Tide.

ARKANSAS
Senior receiver Jarius Wright: A key member of an Arkansas receiving corps that rates up there as one of the best in the country, Wright was timed at 4.27 in the 40-yard dash earlier this year.

AUBURN
Junior running back Onterio McCalebb: He was the Tigers’ marquee home-run threat last season in their national championship march. If you want to see what speed really looks like, go back and watch his 70-yard touchdown run against LSU.

FLORIDA
Senior running back Jeff Demps: There was some chatter that Demps might concentrate on training for the 2012 Olympic Games. First-year Florida coach Will Muschamp, however, has been adamant that Demps would be playing football for the Gators in the fall.

GEORGIA
Junior cornerback Branden Smith: The Bulldogs have attempted to also utilize Smith’s speed on offense and special teams. He’s not very big (175 pounds), but consistently runs a sub 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

KENTUCKY
Sophomore cornerback Jerell Priester: He’s been clocked as fast as 4.29 in the 40-yard dash and gives the Wildcats the kind of speed they’re looking for on defense. Look for Priester to become more of a fixture at cornerback in 2011 after playing a reserve role as a true freshman.

LSU
Junior cornerback Morris Claiborne: We all know how fast former LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson was. Well, Claiborne is cut from that same cloth and returns in 2011 as one of the top cornerbacks in the league.

MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sophomore running back LaDarius Perkins: Dan Mullen has greatly improved the Bulldogs’ speed, and Perkins is one of those guys you’ll probably see move around some in 2011. He can change a game in a hurry with his explosiveness.

OLE MISS
Sophomore running back Jeff Scott: He went 83 yards untouched for a touchdown against Auburn last season and gives the Rebels a perfect speed complement in the backfield to the versatile Brandon Bolden.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Junior receiver Bryce Sherman: After coming to South Carolina on a track scholarship, the 5-4, 157-pound Sherman has found a place on the Gamecocks’ football team. He was the primary kickoff returner last season and will also get a shot at receiver in the fall.

TENNESSEE
Sophomore receiver Justin Hunter: A classic long strider, the 6-4, 182-pound Hunter is also one of the best long jumpers in the SEC and just an exceptional all-around athlete. His football debut last season wasn’t shabby, either -- seven touchdown catches.

VANDERBILT
Sophomore running back Wesley Tate: Even though he’s carrying 225 pounds, Tate’s speed is what sets him apart from some of the other Vanderbilt skill players. Finally healthy, Tate is poised for a big season in 2011.

It’s been a busy spring for Vanderbilt sophomore running back Wesley Tate, and that’s exactly the way he wants it.

To this point in his career, there’s been far too much sitting and watching, far too much rehabilitating from injuries and far too much waiting and wondering what he could do if he were truly 100 percent.

“This is as healthy as I’ve been since I got to Vanderbilt,” said Tate, who will enter his third year in the program next season. “I’ve had a foot, a knee, a couple of ankles. It’s been a lot of rehab and working hard to feel 100 percent again. I finally feel like I’m there.”

The timing couldn’t have been better for Tate, either.

With junior running back Warren Norman sitting out spring practice this year while recovering from wrist surgery, Tate has been front and center in the Commodores’ backfield as James Franklin and his first-year Vanderbilt coaching staff assess their personnel for the first time on the field.

Franklin has made it clear that he’s looking for more of that explosive speed the Commodores have traditionally lacked, and the 6-2, 225-pound Tate possesses that blend of size and speed that Franklin covets.

“The thing about Tate is that he’s a big kid, 225 pounds, but he can run,” Franklin said. “He’s a guy I think can take it the distance in this league. If you just take height, weight and speed, that combination, I’d rank him with anybody in the country. What he’s got to be able to do is produce on Saturdays. But the combination of Norman, Tate and (Zac) Stacy is an impressive group of backs, and they all complement each other.”

Tate, the younger brother of Seattle Seahawks receiver Golden Tate, said the frustration of trying to fight off one injury after another nearly got the best of him. About the time he thought he might be turning the corner, he’d aggravate the stress fracture in his foot.

“I’d never had any serious injuries before I got here, and it was just a continuous thing,” Tate said. “It seemed like new stuff kept popping up. All I could do was try to keep it positive, but it wasn’t easy.”

Tate has meshed well with the new coaching staff, and he said new strength and conditioning coach Dwight Galt has helped him to get stronger and maybe even faster.

“It’s a clean slate for everybody, and the coaches have had a lot of opportunities to evaluate me,” said Tate, who’s one of the faster players on the team.

In addition to being healthy, the other thing that’s so enticing to Tate is Franklin’s system. Tate feels like it’s a perfect fit for what he does best.

“We’re not out of the shotgun all the time and are instead under center most of the time now,” Tate said. “I’d rather be running downhill behind the quarterback and attack the weaknesses of defense. We’re also going to get the backs involved in the passing game. I love this system.”

The label Tate wants to shed is that he’s more of a third-down back.

“I definitely think I can be an every-down running back, a complete running back,” he said. “I can split out wide and catch the ball, but I can also get the tough yards when it’s third-and-1 or third-and-2 and also make the explosive plays down the field.

“There’s a lot of room for me to get better, but I feel like this is my year to show what kind of player I am and show all of the aspects of a great running back.”

Schedule: The Commodores open spring practice Friday afternoon and will hold their spring game on April 18 in Vanderbilt Stadium.

What’s new: The only holdover from the old staff is offensive line coach Herb Hand. Otherwise, everybody else is new, starting with head coach James Franklin, who was previously the offensive coordinator at Maryland. John Donovan, who worked with Franklin on the Maryland staff, will serve as offensive coordinator. Former William & Mary defensive coordinator Bob Shoop will run the Commodores’ defense.

On the mend: Running back Warren Norman (hand) will miss all of spring practice, while defensive tackle Rob Lohr (nasal surgery) will miss most of the spring. Defensive end Walker May (foot), quarterback Jordan Rodgers (shoulder), tight end Austin Monahan (leg), defensive end Thad McHaney (leg) and offensive lineman Grant Ramsay (leg) will be limited.

On the move: Sophomore Javon Marshall will move from cornerback to safety. Redshirt freshman Blake Gowder will shift from fullback to outside linebacker. Junior Eric Samuels, who doubled as both a running back and defensive back last season, will stay at defensive back. Sophomore Marc Panu will move from linebacker to fullback and compete for the starting job along with sophomore Fitz Lassing.

Key battle: Senior Larry Smith is the returning starter at quarterback, although the Commodores struggled to get anything going in the passing game last season. Rodgers, after missing last season following shoulder surgery, will push Smith. Sophomore Charlie Goro will also get a look, although the real competition may not begin until this summer when the three freshman quarterbacks the Commodores signed get on campus.

New faces: There are no true freshmen who enrolled early for the Commodores, but a pair of redshirt freshmen will have big opportunities this spring. Vanderbilt needs somebody else to step up at defensive end and be that finisher off the edge, which is where Kyle Woestmann comes into the picture. On offense, Chris Boyd showed a lot of promise last season on the practice field. The 6-4, 200-pound Boyd is a big, athletic receiver who could give the Commodores more firepower in their passing game.

Breaking out: Sophomore running back Wesley Tate has been plagued by injuries since he arrived, but he finally appears to be healthy and is in great shape physically. The 6-2, 225-pound Tate, the younger brother of Golden Tate, will get every chance to show what he can do this spring with Norman sidelined.

Don’t forget about: The Commodores can match up with a lot of people in the SEC when it comes to returning talent in the secondary. Senior Casey Hayward will be one of the best two or three cornerbacks in the league after intercepting six passes last season. Senior safety Sean Richardson led Vanderbilt with 98 total tackles, and sophomore safety Kenny Ladler returns after starting in nine games and earning Freshman All-SEC honors. Sophomore safety Jay Fullam is transferring to Air Force, and cornerback Jamie Graham has also decided not to return for his senior season.

All eyes on: The Franklin era begins at Vanderbilt, and this spring gives us our first real chance to see what kind of stamp he puts on the program. He inherits a ton of returning starters – 19 of 22. That includes all 11 back on defense. In addition, both specialists are back. But with the Commodores struggling through back-to-back 2-10 seasons, what does it really mean that so many returning starters are back? It will be interesting to see how much he shakes up things. He’s already said there won’t be a lot of sure things, meaning there should be some fierce competition this spring.

Today, we take a look at what should be the strongest and weakest positions for Vanderbilt entering the 2010 season:

Strongest position: Running back

Key returnees: Warren Norman, Zac Stacy

Key departures: Jared Hawkins

The skinny: Norman returns after earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors last season. He led the Commodores with 783 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and tied an SEC record with three kickoffs returned for touchdowns. Stacy also had a solid debut season in the SEC despite battling an ankle injury for much of the year. Stacy wound up with 478 rushing yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Both players should be even better their second time around in the league and with a spring practice under their belts. Plus, the Commodores will add redshirt freshman Wesley Tate to the mix in 2010. He’s the younger brother of former Notre Dame star Golden Tate, and Vanderbilt would like to get him the ball in a number of different ways. It’s a running back stable that would have been even deeper had it not been for the tragic death of top signee Rajaan Bennett in February.

Weakest position: Wide receiver

Key returnees: John Cole, Udom Umoh

Key departures: Alex Washington

The skinny: It’s not that the Commodores lost a bunch of talented guys at the receiver position. Rather, they remain extremely unproven, and it’s difficult to point to somebody on the roster right now and say, "This is the guy who’s going to scare SEC defenses down the field." Cole was the Commodores’ leading receiver a year ago with 36 catches for 382 yards. He’s tough, dependable and isn’t afraid to go get the ball. He simply doesn’t have a lot of help. Vanderbilt only had two touchdown receptions last season from its wide receivers. The staff is optimistic that Brady Brown will take a big step next season after playing early as a true freshman a year ago and then injuring his leg. The Commodores signed a pair of 6-4 freshmen – Chris Boyd and Jordan Matthews – and they probably won't have to wait long to get on the field. It helps that the Commodores have two good tight ends in Austin Monahan and Brandon Barden, but they need to find more playmakers on the outside.