Cornerbacks room bolstered by healthy return of transfers

Amid a 2024 season that showcased improvement almost everywhere for Vanderbilt, one area didn’t noticeably move forward: pass defense. The Commodores ranked No. 105 nationally by allowing 7.9 yards per pass, barely better than 8.0 yards per pass in 2023.

Tougher run defense helped buoy a unit that took enough of a step forward to make a bowl game and seven-win season possible. But one oft-forgotten storyline is that the black and gold played without at least one projected starter at cornerback and possibly two: transfers Mark Davis Jr. and Marlon Jones Jr.

Davis reinjured an Achilles tendon last summer, whereas Jones never enrolled after being diagnosed with cancer. Both are with the team now and will practice to some extent this spring, with Davis closer to making a full return.

“I think (Davis) was on a player load today, but I believe he made it through the whole practice,” said Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea on Tuesday. “He has been impressive through the winter. He is one of our most explosive players in the weight room, and he has got a lot of snaps accumulated on the field. So it was great to have him back out here. We’ll be keeping a close eye on him as we go through spring, but it looks like he’s gonna be good to go.”

Davis, a transfer from Southern Illinois who started his career at Buffalo, has played 1,069 career snaps according to Pro Football Focus. Jones, from Eastern Washington, has played 2,037 snaps per PFF. No other cornerbacks on Vandy’s roster can match those numbers.

Although Davis and Jones came to West End from FCS programs, they excelled at that level by each earning All-Conference recognition in 2023. Martel Hight has the inside track to start after posting a strong season last fall, but the ‘Dores need more quality in addition to the rising junior.

Read Vandy247’s practice report from the first day of spring ball HERE.

Specifically, Lea said he would like to move away from zone defense and toward man after Vandy functioned as a zone-heavy team last season due to sketchy coverage skills on the outside. Lea singled out Tennessee wide receiver Dont’e Thornton’s 86-yard touchdown against little resistance as the type of play that the Commodores need to eliminate, and better play at cornerback could help.

“Those plays can’t happen for us to win in those games,” Lea said. “A guy like Mark — with his experience, his speed, his confidence — can go a long way in helping us close those gaps.”

Familiar face

With Lea handing off defensive play-calling duties to new coordinator Steve Gregory while linebackers coach Nick Lezynski takes over as co-defensive coordinator, the Commodores have shuffled their braintrust on that side of the ball. An old friend will provide guidance for that group: newly minted defensive analyst Bob Shoop.

Shoop served as defensive coordinator under then-Vanderbilt coach James Franklin from 2011 through 2013, leading some of the top defenses in program history. Since then, the 58-year-0ld has coordinated defenses at Penn State, Tennessee, Mississippi State and South Florida. Most recently, Shoop coached safeties at Marshall in 2024.

“From the jump, I’ve wanted to bring people in that don’t see the cracks in the cup and don’t see the challenges here, but see the opportunities. Bob is a great example of that,” Lea said. “Bob’s time here previously was marked by a lot of success on the field, some really great defense played and winning.

“His attitude toward Vanderbilt is this is the best place in the world. He and I are in lockstep on that. What we bring is someone with a ton of experience as a play-caller. He has got a great coordinator’s mind. … Bob brings that extra layer of experience as a play-caller that I think will give great support to Steve.”

Trainer’s room

Lea said offensive tackles Grayson Morgan and Anthony Miles both medically retired due to recurring back injuries that resulted in multiple surgeries. By retiring, neither Morgan nor Miles will count against the Commodores’ 85-man scholarship limit.

“Obviously, I recruited both of them with big visions for their football careers,” Lea said. “Both are such positive members of our community. I can’t say enough about the people.

“Selfishly, I want everyone to play and I want everyone to play for a long time. But when you start talking about your back and dealing with surgeries and the struggle of trying to return and play this game at a weight that is taxing in and of itself, in collaboration with them and their families they’ve decided and we’ve decided it’s best for them to step away. They’re gonna be missed. They’re still a part of who we are, and I want them to stay connected to our program. But it’s the right thing for them.”