Clark Lea may make Martel Hight a two-way player

Vanderbilt football could have a new option on offense in 2025.

Martel Hight, a starting cornerback and second-team All-SEC punt returner, has gotten some reps at receiver during spring practice.

It’s not yet known if Hight would play both ways during the season.

The idea to try offense was Hight’s first. He played both ways in high school, then approached the coaches to ask if he could try it with the Commodores. Right now, Hight is in a trial period, and if the coaches like what they see, the arrangement could carry over to games.

“I’ve got pretty good ball skills, and coaches have seen it, and I kept bringing it to the coaches’ attention that I wanted to play both sides, and they finally gave me the opportunity to do that,” Hight said. “So now I’m trying to capitalize.”

Using Hight could aid a Vanderbilt offense that has struggled to get much production at wide receiver under coach Clark Lea. The Commodores return Junior Sherrill and Richie Hoskins, as well as top tight end Eli Stowers, but outside that they are light on proven production at receiver.

Vanderbilt took two transfer receivers during the fall: Chance Fitzgerald from Virginia Tech and Trent Hudson from Mississippi State. Fitzgerald was a local high-school star but he didn’t play much with the Hokies. Hudson was highly productive at New Mexico State in current Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s system, but he struggled to get on the field with a Bulldogs team that finished 2-10.

Redshirt freshman tight end Brycen Coleman is another breakout candidate based on his spring performance, but adding Hight to the offensive group − even if it’s only in certain packages − could provide a new wrinkle.

In 2024, Hight appeared in all 13 games. As a defensive back, he made 33 tackles, two tackles for loss and two interceptions. As a punt returner, he had 265…

Source link : https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2025/03/27/vanderbilt-football-martel-hight-clark-lea-travis-hunter/82635432007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-27 17:35:00

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