Press Kit: Vandy Football Looks To Continue Growth In Clark Lea’s Second Season

/in , /by

Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea with linebacker Anfernee Orji. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

August is finally winding down which means that college football is back as Vanderbilt gears up for another season with growing pains ahead.

After another poor season in 2021, Vanderbilt football looks to continue to grow its program under second-year head coach Clark Lea.

In his first year, Lea led the team to a 2-10 record overall and a 0-8 conference record. The team suffered some abysmal losses, but came close to beating South Carolina (21-20) and Missouri (37-28), and were able to score double-digits in its final four games of 2021.

The road ahead will be difficult with the SEC only getting better, but Vandy has a few key players that can push them to some wins this season.

Mike Wright. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Quarterback Mike Wright is coming off a solid end to the 2021 season, throwing six touchdowns in the final four games, as opposed to only two TD’s in the previous six. He also threw 947 yards in the last six games of the year, when he started with just 95 in his first four games played.

This year with more experience, confidence and being named the starter for the 2022 season, Wright will only get better in Lea’s offense. He can also be a threat in the rushing game as he ran 152 yards against Missouri and scored a rushing touchdown against Tennessee. Earlier in the summer, the junior was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.

Helping Wright on the offense will be wide receiver Will Sheppard. Sheppard started in 11 games last season and finished with 43 receptions, four touchdowns, 557 receiving yards, and averaged 13.4 yards per catch.

Will Sheppard. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

The Senior will be one of the most important players on the field for Vanderbilt and will be key to increasing the team’s scoring after being shutout or held to single-digit scores four times in 2021.

It’s not hard to imagine that with Wright under the center in his first full season that Sheppard can hit 1,000 receiving yards.

One of the biggest factors for the team, and probably the biggest for the defense, is senior linebacker Anfernee Orji.

Orji had a great 2021 campaign starting all 12 games and leading the team with 93 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, placing him 12th in the SEC in total tackles. He made 13 tackles against Colorado State, the most by a Commodore during the 2021 season.

Orji is set to have a stellar senior year to help set up Vandy for a few extra wins. He has been nominated for the Bednarik Award Watch List, Butkus Award Watch List and has been named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC team.

Anfernee Orji. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Fans will have the opportunity to see some exciting teams visit Vanderbilt Stadium as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Vandy kicks-off the season spending a week in Hawaii before playing the island team in Week 0 on Aug. 26. On Sept. 10, they will host No. 22-ranked Wake Forest as SEC Network programs will be on campus all weekend long.

The Commodores will also host No. 21 Ole Miss on Oct. 8. The Rebels, led by coach Lane Kiffin, had a great year in 2021, finishing with a record of 10-3 overall and 6-0 at home. They made a trip to the Sugar Bowl last year, eventually losing to Baylor 21-7, and will be looking to play a similar season in 2022.

Vanderbilt will play its final two games of the season at home against Florida and in-state rival Tennessee. Both teams were left out of the AP Pre-season Top 25, but Tennessee will be a much better team this season than in 2021.

Fifth year quarterback Hendon Hooker will be one of the top quarterbacks in the conference as UTK looks to grow the program back to its former glory.

As always, the Vandy-Tennessee game slated during Thanksgiving weekend will be must-see college football.

Steven Boero
Latest posts by Steven Boero (see all)