Next up in our fall camp preview series is the Vanderbilt Commodores, a team that went without a win in league play under Derek Mason in 2014. The Commodores will look for tangible improvement during Mason’s second tour of the league.

PERSONNEL

There is no way to put this without sounding critical, so let’s just cut straight to the bone: Vanderbilt was not a very good offensive football team last season. While the Commodores do return eight starters from an offense that ranked last in the SEC in both points scored (17.2) and total offense (288.3 yards), there are still questions at quarterback and wide receiver.

What the Commodores do return is a solid running back in sophomore Ralph Webb, who set the school’s record for rushing yards by a freshman with 912 in 2014. He is backed by bruiser Dallas Rivers, and the use of Darrius Sims and C.J. Duncan at the position, along with four returning starters along the offensive line, could help the Commodores improve upon last year’s totals in the run game.

The offensive line has returning experience in center Spencer Pulley (29 starts), guard Jake Bernstein (29 starts) and tackle Andrew Jelks (21 starts), but the unit will need a much steadier performance this season.

On the defensive side of the ball, there is hope for improvement from a group that returns nine starters now that Mason has taken the reins as the defensive play caller. He returns a strong group of linebackers, headed by sophomore Nigel Bowden and senior Darreon Herring. Defensive ends Adam Butler and Caleb Azubike, along with outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly should be able to generate some pressure on quarterbacks this fall.

The secondary returns both starters at cornerback in Torren McGaster and Taurean Ferguson, as well as Tre Bell and Tre Herndon. Safties Andrew Williamson and Jahmel McIntosh bring plenty of game experience.

PRIMARY POSITION BATTLES

Quarterback — Wade Freebeck vs. Johnny McCrary: Quarterback will again be the most important camp battle for Vanderbilt this season. A year ago, the camp competition lasted far too long and did not settle much of anything. After four different quarterbacks started games in 2014, the Commodores must find consistency at the position in 2015. Mason has once again said he will not rush the decision to name a starter here, but expect the second-year coach to learn from his mistakes and decide which player will lead his offense well in advance of the season opener against Western Kentucky on Sept. 3.

Wide receiver — Latevius Rayford vs. C.J. Duncan vs. Caleb Scott vs. Trent Sherfield vs. all challengers: For as much criticism as the quarterback position received last season, the wide receiver group did not do much in the way of helping their cause. Just a year after Jordan Matthews set school and SEC records alike at the position, the Commodores failed to have a receiver top 450 receiving yards. While it was an inexperienced group, there was still a lack of separation on routes and an overall lack of explosive plays on the outside.

Nose guard — Jay Woods vs. Nifae Lealao: Though Vanderbilt largely was an inexperienced team in 2014, they had senior Vince Taylor on the interior line soaking up much of the available playing time. Now in Year 2 of a 3-4 look on defense, the Commodores are hoping that Woods and Lealao can develop into a formidable pair of nose guards on the interior. Woods, who likely has an advantage in the competition, is new to the position after playing defensive end last season. There are high expectations for Lealao, who was Mason’s top recruit of the 2014 signing class.

END GOAL

The Commodores experienced disastrous results in Derek Mason’s first year in charge at Vanderbilt. With many changes made to the coaching staff in the offseason, including the replacement of both coordinators, the pressure on Mason to put some wins on the board in his second season is apparent. Mason has the returning players necessary to get his first SEC win, and a failure to do so could heighten the chances that his stay in Nashville will be a short one.

Vanderbilt did not do itself any favors with its non-conference schedule this season. Though it lacks the punch of a Power 5 opponent, it features a tricky home-opener against Western Kentucky and road trips to play very capable Middle Tennessee and Houston teams.

Winning two of these three games is a must for the Commodores, though it is likely they will need wins in all three, along with a win in conference play, to show the type of progress Vanderbilt fans are hoping to see this season.