Tolk’s Breakdown: Quarterbacks

Coach Mason and his staff certainly did their due diligence when it came to recruiting QBs this past cycle. They couldn’t afford not to. The Commodores signed four signal-callers in the 2020 class, giving the Black and Gold hope that they’ve found a suitable quarterback after 2019’s inconsistencies. All of last year’s quarterbacks who took meaningful reps left the program: Riley Neal graduated while Deuce Wallace, Mo Hasan (USC), and Allan Walters (Mississippi State) entered the transfer portal. 

Read below for insights into the new Commodore QBs:

Ken Seals (Weatherford, TX): Seals is an early enrollee and participated in Vandy’s few spring practices before Coronavirus shut the nation down. He will wear No. 8 for Vandy. Before his time on West End, he played at Weatherford High School, leading the Roos his senior year with 3,060 yards, 33 TDs, and 278.2 ypg while only throwing 7 interceptions. He also ran for nearly 500 yards and 7 TDs his senior year. Over the course of his career, he set a school record with 5,714 passing yards and 53 passing TDs.

He garnered praise from the coaching staff and reporters during the shortened spring practice period. Although he’ll be a true freshman, he’ll look to build off of early reps when the team gets back together.

Jeremy Moussa (JUCO San Bernardino Valley College, CA): Moussa is a JUCO-signee with the Dores who also enrolled early. He will sport No. 11 on the field. His mobility was limited during spring practice, but was still able to participate, showing off a strong arm. He originally started his collegiate career with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, but ended up transferring to San Bernadino Valley College where he competed in 9 games before an injury, putting up impressive stats: 199/375, 3,179 yards, 37 TDs, and 9 ints.

On his experience in Nashville thus far: “‘I loved it. Even though I wasn’t able to do quite everything (due to injury), all the things I got to do with Coach Fitch, I’ve learned a lot from him so far already. I love the way he coaches – he’s not going to beat around the bush, he’s just going to tell you straight how he wants it and that’s what I like. I love Coach Mason as well. He’s a fiery guy, he’s going to put you in check when he needs to and then he’s going to praise you when you do the right thing’” (vucommodores).

Highlights: https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4420127/5d883452da50ed0ca412e3ac

Mike Wright (Atlanta, GA): Wright made quite a splash by signing with Vanderbilt on signing day. The Woodward Academy senior was originally committed to the UCF Knights, but later decommitted and took visits to Northwestern and Vandy. In the end, the dual-threat prospect signed with Derek Mason’s squad. 

Noted for his speed and athleticism, Wright brings an element of elusiveness that hasn’t been seen at Vanderbilt for quite some time. Don’t just count on his legs, though. The 6’4” QB threw for 37 TDs and for 2,653 yards to only 8 ints. In some services, he’s Vandy’s most highly-rated quarterback signee, so expect him to be in the mix for the starting job, especially since he won’t be as behind in the competition due to COVID-19 spring practice cancellations taking away early reps from Seals & Moussa. The effects of this may level the field of competition; new Offensive Coordinator Todd Fitch’s new system implementations will be adjustments for all.

Highlights: https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/7752094/5b9144b31762760ea496a33f

Danny Clark (Copiah-Lincoln Community College, MS): The fourth QB from the 2020 signing class was Danny Clark, who had originally enrolled with the Kentucky Wildcats in 2017. He transferred from UK in 2018 and played the next year at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he threw for 2,156 yds, 18 TDs, and 5 ints. Having experience from an SEC program and from his JUCO career should benefit him. Clark was a 3-star recruit coming out of high school. He’s been a vocal leader since he’s been on campus, leading workouts with receivers during the summer.

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2C2abK

Vandy will also have walk-on Jack Bowen to bolster depth at the position. Look for Vandy’s QB battle to extend deep into fall camp, hopefully allowing the team to solidify a starter by at least a week before kickoff vs Texas AM on September 26th. 

Who do you think will be the starter when the Commodores kickoff 2020? Comment below!