After salvaging his first signing haul with 19 newcomers including the program’s top quarterback signing ever — four-star Kyle Shurmur — in February, Derek Mason’s hoping his first full season on the recruiting trail pays dividends nine months from now.

It’s no secret the Commodores are hoping to improve in all areas, notably on offense where the program’s taken three steps back since James Franklin’s departure. Ranked at the bottom of the SEC and 125th nationally last fall in total offense, Vanderbilt needs help at each position group.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Losing after 2015: Spencer Pulley, Jake Bernstein

One of the Eastern Division’s most veteran-heavy groups this season with four returning starters, the pickings are slim for Vanderbilt up front after the 2016 season, a group that will be forced to rely on a bunch of unproven redshirts if Mason’s still around at that time. Adding JUCO tackle E.J. DellaRipa in May gives the Commodores a player who can compete for early playing time and provides much-needed depth at the position.

SAFETY

Losing after 2015: Jahmel McIntosh, Andrew Williamson

Behind McIntosh and Williamson, two talented ballhawks the Commodores will lose after this season, Oren Burks (RS sophomore) and Tre Tarpley (sophomore) are the only players at safety that Mason is comfortable sticking out there on his defense. McIntosh and Williamson’s exit after the season would leave Vanderbilt with six players (including 2015 signee Andrew Rector) at the position for 2016 — not enough for Mason’s liking who often alternates personnel in the secondary.

QUARTERBACK

Losing after 2015: None, but available players are slim

The good news is that all four scholarship quarterbacks on roster have at least three years of eligibility remaining. The bad? None have proven to be SEC-caliber from an execution standpoint and the Commodores would prefer not having to thrust true freshman Shurmur into the fire this fall. There’s always the risk of a transfer casualty as well if OC Andy Ludwig decides on Johnny McCrary and sticks to his decision. The unexpected spring departure of Patton Robinette left the Commodores in a difficult situation.

Other positions Vanderbilt should target: RB, CB, OL

CURRENT RECRUITING CLASS

Vanderbilt’s 2016 recruiting class sits at No. 74 nationally with only three commits, but the Commodores have secured verbal agreements from 2-of-3 positions of need — quarterback and safety. It’s a relative shot in the dark considering the Commodores already have a solid verbal from three-star Deuce Wallace, but Vanderbilt offered four-star passer Jake Bentley (Opelike, Ala.) on Thursday who is currently trending for Auburn. According to 247Sports, he is the nation’s fourth-best pro style quarterback.

OUTLOOK

There’s substantial room to grow for next year’s class and continuing to build on defense is Vanderbilt’s best shot along with securing a future quarterback in case Shurmur’s not the answer. The Commodores are on the short list to land four-star inside linebacker Tre Lamar (Roswell, Ga.) and four-star cornerback Joejuan Williams (Hendersonville, Tenn.). Getting both of those guys to commit before National Signing Day could lead to others on the same talent level landing in Nashville.