Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason wouldn’t say why Brendon Harris has missed time this season, but said “read between the lines” about medical or COVID situations.

Mason spoke on the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday about Harris’ progression since he’s only played in four games.

“He’s coming along,” Mason said. “He is getting more playing time, getting more familiar with what we are asking him to do, I think he’s only going to get better. his ceiling is high, he’s a redshirt freshman and he’ll be a redshirt freshman next year.”

Harris this season forced first career fumble against South Carolina, and made a career-high 10 tackles at Mississippi State to name a couple of highlights.

Vanderbilt will face the high-powered Florida offense this week, and Mason shared why it’s so difficult.

“Kyle is a tremendous quarterback who has got really good command of what he’s doing,” Mason said. “He can make all the throws, much like Joe Burrow last year… he sees pressure coming, he can slide, keep his eyes downfield and he’s playing with a talented core around him.”

There are so many weapons for the Gators that it’s difficult to pick your poison.

“It’s the other tight ends that they have, too,” Mason said. “(Kadarius) Toney is just as dynamic as (Kyle) Pitts, that’s been lost on people… I saw a couple of our defenders bounce off Pitts last year. To me, I think amongst the group, they have speed, ball skill and the running backs have as many catches as the wide receivers. Much like LSU last year, they are dynamic.”