5 ways Vanderbilt's offense is shaping up

Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason will take over defensive play-calling duties this season, but many of the hot topics around his team this offseason involve the offense.

During Wednesday's SEC coaches spring teleconference, Mason shared optimism for the offseason progress of his offense, which ranked last in the SEC last season. Here are five offensive topics Mason addressed during the call:

'Ralph Webb is a hungry young man'

Running back Ralph Webb has been among the brightest offseason spots on Vanderbilt's roster, Mason said. Webb rushed for a freshman record 907 yards on 212 carries, second-most in the SEC. Mason said the scrappy 5-foot-10, 200-pounder wants more as a sophomore.

"Ralph Webb is a hungry young man. As soon as the season finished, he was the first one back in the weight room and first one back on the field," Mason said. "He didn't rest on any accolades or the things that he had done. Under (new strength coach James Dobson) he has stepped into the weight room and per pound has become one of the strongest players on this football team. He has gotten stronger and faster."

New offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is expected to lean heavily on a power run game, which should feature Webb, versatile playmaker Darrius Sims, bruising 225-pounder Dallas Rivers and possibly an occasional dose of C.J. Duncan, who played wide receiver last season.

Looking for leading QB

Mason said he wants one, and only one, starting quarterback next season after starting an FBS-high four in 2014. After spring practice, projected starter Patton Robinette decided to end his career because of medical school and concerns over concussions.

Sophomores Johnny McCrary and Wade Freebeck will compete for the starting spot in preseason camp. Both have shown more leadership skills and attention to classroom work since Robinette's post-spring announcement, Mason said.

"These guys did an excellent job of spending time with (Ludwig) once spring was done," Mason said. "The biggest part is that they've been able to grow in the leadership part. (Quarterbacks) have to be the first in and the last one to leave. Those guys have been consistent in staying in contact with Andy, but more than that (they have been) organizing throwing sessions and film sessions with their guys. That's important. That's what that position does."

McCrary is currently still on campus. Freebeck has returned to Davie, Fla., to visit his family. Players will return June 1 for summer workouts.

'Formidable up front'

Four starters return on the offensive line, who have a combined 89 starts in their careers. Spencer Pulley, perhaps the unit's best, will move from guard to center.

Nagging injuries and untimely penalties bogged down the group last year, but Mason said the offensive line must be a strength in 2015 for Ludwig's scheme to succeed.

"We had a veteran group a year ago that somewhat underachieved," Mason said. "That veteran group has been working with (Dobson). Competition has been critical. With growth and maturity of (new starting guard) Delando Crooks added to (four returning starters) should make us pretty formidable up front. We feel like we are going to be a group that's strong and physical in the run game, but be more athletic and better in pass pro."

Spring game 'really very vanilla'

Nearly two months after a lackluster offensive showing in the Black & Gold Game, Mason said Ludwig showed very little of his plan to revamp the offense. He said that after reviewing the film there was a stark contrast between the spring game and preceding closed practices.

Quarterbacks threw five interceptions and took seven sacks, while the offense struggled to score in the Black & Gold Game.

"Our spring game was really not indicative of what we were doing," Mason said. "We didn't want to show a whole lot in terms of our versatility and our sets. So we were really very vanilla in the spring game. (In closed practices), we found it hard (on defense) to line up against what (Ludwig) was doing at times. He is very good at what he does."

Practice moved to morning

Mason said the team will practice in the morning in the fall rather than the afternoon as it is accustomed to after trying "a test run" of the schedule switch in the spring. It will allow Mason, who is taking over defensive play-calling duties, to better divide his time between coordinator and head coaching roles each day.

"So I'll have my afternoons somewhat free to take care of university business or Vanderbilt football business," Mason said. "It worked extremely well (in the spring)."

But it also will allow Ludwig and his quarterbacks to practice in the morning and perhaps review film in the afternoon.

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.