Can Clark Lea lead Vanderbilt Football to a bowl game in 2023?
By Dante Pryor
Can the Vanderbilt football offense score more points in 2023?
The offensive numbers for the Commodores were a bit skewed last season. Their best offensive performances — 63 points versus Hawai’i and 42 points against Elon — were not as good as its worst offensive performances — two shutouts versus Georgia and Tennessee and three points against Alabama.
Vanderbilt’s performance in the loss to South Carolina is the likeliest indicator of what they were as an offense. The mantra of the Vanderbilt offense was to control the clock and not lose the game.
There are two key questions the Commodores must answer coming into 2023 if the offense will take a step and help them win that sixth game. First, is true freshman Sedrick Alexander ready for the workload in the SEC? He must run the football against Georgia and Kentucky’s defensive fronts.
Both of last season’s leading rushers, Re’Mahn Davis and Mike Wright are gone. The staff loves Alexander. They don’t have much choice because he’s their best option.
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Lynch thinks the world of quarterback AJ Swann. However, who are the playmakers on the perimeter? Last season’s leading receivers, Will Shepherd and William McGowan, both return, but neither receiver averaged 15 yards per reception.
Where are the explosive plays going to come from? It might not be from any of the returning receivers. Keep an eye on incoming freshman Maureice “Junior” Sherill. He’s slight (172 pounds) but has track speed, and the Dores need speed.