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Instead of a true spring game this year, Vanderbilt football is holding a series of three scrimmages at local high schools. The first of those scrimmages will come Saturday at Lipscomb Academy.
The scrimmages, which are not open to the public, are a way for the Commodores to see where they are with a roster that has faced significant turnover. Most notably, Vanderbilt lost all three quarterbacks who attempted a pass in 2023 as well as its top three receivers. But there has been turnover on the defense as well, where coach Clark Lea took over playcalling himself and looked to inject more talent via the transfer portal.
For a team like the Commodores that won only two games last year, it remains to be seen whether that turnover is a good or bad thing. The 2023 roster was undoubtedly not good enough, with some change needed. But Vanderbilt also lost several of its most talented players, many of whom landed at other SEC schools.
Here’s what the Commodores will look for as they scrimmage for the first time:
How is the Vanderbilt quarterback competition shaping up?
Vanderbilt has three scholarship quarterbacks for spring ball. Utah transfer Nate Johnson has arm talent, athleticism and running ability but has been inconsistent. Drew Dickey is the lone holdover from the 2023 team, though he didn’t attempt a pass. New Mexico State transfer Blaze Berlowitz has intriguing tools, too.
Those aren’t the only quarterbacks who will be in play for the starting job. New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia and freshmen Jeremy St-Hilaire and Whit Muschamp will be joining the team in the fall. But for now, scrimmage play will be a further opportunity to evaluate Dickey, Johnson and Berlowitz.
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