Ten elected to football leadership council

by Leathers

Ten veterans of the Commodore football team, including seven that started a year ago, have been voted to the squad's leadership council.

Council representatives for the 2010 season are Larry Smith, quarterbacks; Kennard Reeves, running backs; Brandon Barden, tight ends; John Cole, receivers; Joey Bailey, offensive line; Adam Smotherman, defensive tackles; Tim Fugger, defensive ends; Chris Marve, linebackers; safety Sean Richardson, defensive backs; and snapper David Giller, specialists.

This marks the sixth year teammates have elected Leadership Council representatives. The council meets periodically to address team and student-athlete issues while serving as the players' voice communicating with coaches.

Larry Smith - Preseason Interview

by Barca Blog - Redshirt sophomore quarterback Larry Smith talked with the press following Vanderbilt's first preseason practice Friday evening at the John Rich Practice Facility.

Watch the video below:

Flashback video: Smith reVealed

by Barca Blog - After hearing wide receiver George Smith has a mini-camp tryout planned with Chicago, I thought about the reVealed video series he starred in for vucommodores two summers ago. George was a natural in front of the camera, no doubt about it, and it really was a pleasure teaming with him to give Commodore fans a behind-the-scenes look at the VU football program.

Here's one of my favorite segments where George gives the scoop on team picture day. Oh, keep an eye out for two more Bears in the footage.

Smith invited to Bears' mini-camp tryout

by Leathers - One day after Chicago took cornerback D.J. Moore in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Bears have invited Commodore receiver George Smith to a mini-camp tryout later this week.

Smith could join former teammate Earl Bennett with the Bears as a potential receiving threat from another former Vanderbilt star, Jay Cutler. Two more ‘Dores also appear on Chicago's roster: veteran linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and second-year offensive tackle Chris Williams.

Smith, a product of Hollywood Hills High School near Fort Lauderdale, Fla., struggled with leg injuries last year, concluding the season with just 13 receptions for 140 yards. Smith had 89 receptions during his career, good for 1,137 yards and eight touchdowns.

Smith, an offensive co-captain for the 2008 Music City Bowl champions, spent six years in the Vanderbilt program after developing a near-fatal medical condition known as transverse myletis as a freshman. He missed 18 months of action recovering from the ailment that left him temporarily paralyzed.

“George has meant so much to our team," Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson said. "He overcame a great deal during his time at Vanderbilt and worked incredibly hard to even have a chance of returning to the game. He’s an incredible young man, and a tremendous representative of our football team and university."

Smooth operator

By Barca Blog - Coach Johnson commented on redshirt freshman Larry Smith during his interview with the 104.5 Wake Up Zone earlier today.

"With Chris (Nickson) and Mackenzi (Adams) last year, we weren't counting on Larry to come in there and do great things but we knew he was going to be a player in there somewhere or sometime for us because he's just too smooth of an operator to keep on the bench. It's good to have those guys available."

Smith will compete with Adams during spring drills for the starting quarterback spot. The Prattville, Ala., native made his first career start in the Commodores' 16-14 win over Boston College in the Music City Bowl, going 10-for-17 with 121 passing yards.