Vanderbilt's biggest concern for 2016

Fans of a team that is 2-14 in its last 16 SEC games have plenty of reasons to be concerned about the direction of their program.

But if we’re attempting to identify the most pressing concern for the 2016 Vanderbilt squad, we can quickly eliminate a much-improved defense from consideration. That group will be just fine.

The running game? That’s anchored by 1,000-yard rusher Ralph Webb. No worries there.

The passing game? Now we’re on to something.

Football has evolved into a pass-first game for many college programs, but Vanderbilt has yet to find its groove when it comes to fielding a competent passing attack under the direction of Derek Mason.

During the defensive-minded coach’s tenure, the Commodores offense has finished 13th in the SEC in passing yardage in both 2014 and 2015, averaging a measly 175.5 yards per game through the air.

When you stretch that out to a comparison of all 128 FBS teams, the Commodores checked in at 107th and 112th, respectively.

So, until something changes,  the lack of a serviceable passing game has been, and will continue to be, Vanderbilt’s biggest area of concern.

We could spend time talking about how the lack of a steady quarterback has contributed to the aerial failure, but Commodores fans likely aren’t as concerned about that position as they have been in recent seasons.

Following the transfer of Johnny McCrary, it appears as though Mason is content to let rising sophomore Kyle Shurmur settle in as the long-term answer at that position.

That leaves the players on the other end of Shurmur’s passes as the Commodores’ top concern heading into the 2016 season.

Vanderbilt has not had a notable pass catcher since the graduation of standout receiver Jordan Matthews, who set several SEC receiving records during his time in Nashville, and Jonathan Krause following the 2013 season. The position has been riddled with injuries and inconsistency ever since, and we have the numbers to prove it.

Here’s a look at the Commodores’ production from wide receivers during the last two seasons, courtesy of CFBStats.com:

2014

2015

The Commodores receivers have managed just 12 touchdown receptions in the last 24 games.

For a point of reference on how bad that is, Baylor receivers had 17 touchdown receptions in the first three games of 2015 alone.

So how do the Commodores alleviate this concern in 2016?

Let’s look at the possible remedies:

Trent Sherfield: The sophomore had what could be considered a breakout season in 2015, leading the team in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns after catching just one pass as a freshman. He has shown flashes of being the true playmaker this offense desperately needs, like when he hauled in 16 passes for 240 yards in a win against Austin Peay, but must get a handle on the drops that plagued him throughout the season.

C.J. Duncan: Missed the entire 2015 season after a leg injury suffered in fall camp. The former QB was settling in nicely as one of the team’s best pass catchers in 2014, and a healthy return to the team in time for fall camp would mean quite a bit for this group’s chances of a taking a step forward.

Caleb Scott: His sophomore campaign proved him to be a viable option in the passing game. What he has yet to do is show that he’s capable of being a breakout player.

Latevius Rayford: The most experienced receiver in the group, Rayford has shown flashes of becoming more than his stats have shown thus far. Perhaps he figures things out in his senior season.

Darrius Sims: A converted defensive back, Sims made his name known as a returner in 2014. But the Commodores utilized him as a Swiss army knife type of player on offense, taking snaps at wide reciever as well as running back. He’s a threat to take it to the house each time he touches the ball, but may not have the skill set necessary to become a serious factor in the passing game.

The Commodores also have a cast of youngsters that could start making an impact on the 2016 team. Ronald Monroe saw time as a freshman, and is joined by Jared Pinkney and Rashad Canty as players that certainly look the part as SEC wideouts.

Vanderbilt also signed three new wide receivers in the 2016 signing class, giving offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig more options to explore.

Vandy remains far behind the rest of the SEC in terms of personnel in the passing game, and that includes the offensive line. But 2016 should at least represent progress and stability for the Commodores in that area.