Clark Lea gives Vanderbilt football quarterback competition update as 2024 practice begins

Nate Johnson took the first reps at quarterback during the open period of Vanderbilt football's first preseason practice Wednesday. But that doesn't mean the quarterback competition is over. In fact, it's just getting started.

Johnson, the Utah transfer who joined the team for spring ball, will be battling with Diego Pavia, a New Mexico State transfer. Pavia was the starter with the Aggies under current Vanderbilt staffers Jerry Kill and Tim Beck and is most notable for leading an upset of Auburn last November. Drew Dickey, the lone returning scholarship quarterback, and New Mexico State transfer Blaze Berlowitz are also in the mix.

Coach Clark Lea often starts the preseason with transfers lower down on the depth chart until they have had a chance to complete several practices with the team, at which point they can move up.

"Right now, it's anyone's ball," Lea said. "They got to come out and show the ability to protect the football and make good decisions, empower the other 10 guys on the field to make plays, and we want to give them time and space to do that. I think the challenge for us is going to be as we go, we can't get four guys ready to play, so we're going to have to be strategic with how we distribute those reps, and ultimately, take a competition of four to a competition of two and then have a starter by the time we're playing against Virginia Tech."

Pavia's reputation is that he's a fiery competitor teammates will be excited to work with. But Wednesday was the first opportunity to catch passes from him or defend them.

"He's a leader," wide receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. said. "He comes out there and leads, so it's fun."

MORE BATTLES TO WATCH Vanderbilt football's top position battles, including Diego Pavia vs Nate Johnson at quarterback

Vanderbilt football roster updates show strength and conditioning coach impact

Early reports have been positive on the impact of new strength and conditioning coach Robert Stiner. Lea mentioned at SEC Media Days how many players have gotten faster and heavier.

According to the updated roster, some notable players who have added significant weight include defensive lineman De'Marion Thomas (13 pounds), wide receiver Junior Sherrill (16), offensive lineman Grayson Morgan (12), cornerback Trudell Berry (12), edge BJ Diakite (15) and wide receiver Jeremiah Dillon (10).

Gage Pitchford, a guard who has been in the program for three years, has seen the difference.

"A lot of sleds," Pitchford said. "Heavy lifting, more explosive work. A lot of jumping. Really, a lot of soft tissue work that we haven't really had in the past, working on our hips. Mobility has been a huge thing. So that's really important in the trenches, being able to get sustained blocks."

Skinner, who has dealt with significant hamstring injuries over the past two years, said he has incorporated stretching into his routine in an attempt to stay healthier.

For Lea, the new regime has enabled the players to add both speed and explosion, which has in turn led to a greater focus on technique.

"When you're just able to outrun someone, or if the person you're defending is not able to outrun you, you can get away with a lot of stuff," Lea said. "And so the way the space has collapsed around the ball feels different. The way the breakouts accelerate into space feels different. Those are positive signs."

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson .

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Clark Lea gives Vanderbilt football quarterback competition update as 2024 practice begins