Vanderbilt Loses Returning Starting LT Andrew Jelks for the Season

Written by Ryan Wright 

Second-year head coach Derek Mason has high hopes for his Vanderbilt squad entering the 2015 season. One of the strengths on paper for the Commodores giving optimism to Vandy fans, the coaching staff, and players alike was eight starters returning on offense and nine on defense. Of the eight starters on offense four were offensive linemen, a position where games are won and lost in the SEC.

Since the grind of fall camp has started to take its toll, the Commodores eight returning offensive starters is now down to six after the announced loss of returning starting left tackle Andrew Jelks for the season.

Jelks suffered a knee injury on Wednesday during an indoors practice. The extent of the injury has not been reported on by Mason. In a statement released by Mason he relented Jelks’ injury writing, “I’m really disappointed for Andrew because he’s such a fine young man. Andrew was having an excellent camp and was looking forward to having a big year.”

The junior from Henry County High School in Paris, Tenn., had started 21 consecutive games, 12 at left tackle and nine at right tackle. The new challenge for Mason is replacing his 6’6”, 307 pound, two-year starter. Right tackle Will Holden is an option along with the Commodores most experience lineman, left guard Jake Bernstein. Holden is more the part of a prototypical tackle listed at 6’7”, 312 pounds. Bernstein, with 29 starts for Vandy, is listed at 6’4”, 310 pounds.

The loss of Jelks opens up potential playing time for other lineman. Mason called out his Commodores’ offensive line stating, “It’s time for others to step up and claim a more substantial role in the success of our offense. We definitely have players on our roster that can fill the void left by Andrew’s departure.”

Among the candidates to fill in spots along the line, depending on who wins the left tackle job, include redshirt freshman Bailey Granier or junior college transfer Egidio DellaRipa. Mason could also rely on true freshmen Ean Pfeifer, Justin Skule, or Jared Southers.

Last week returning sophomore starting wide receiver C.J. Duncan suffered a leg injury during a special teams drill that is expected to cost him the entire season as well. Duncan had 28 receptions for 441 yards with four touchdowns.

Photo credit: anchorofgold.com; No. 50 Andrew Jelks