Clark Lea looking to address key positions, roster depth in transfer portal

Vanderbilt has addressed several needs in the transfer portal since the end of the 2023 season, adding 17 total players to help compete in the SEC next season.

With the spring slate finished, Commodores head coach Clark Lea explained how he plans to attack the portal heading into the summer, and which positions still need to be filled out.

“We’re addressing what we feel like is depth concern in the front end. There will be some addition of offensive skill (positions), too, which will be important,” Lea said. “Part of that is a response to some of what we lost in the winter portal, and this offensive staff hadn’t had a chance to bolster.

“It all becomes a game of like, what are the spots that we have open? Being aggressive — we’re going to go and do what it takes to feel like we have the best possible team that we can take into the fall. We feel like we’ve covered some ground here and I think through the winter training into spring practice, we’ve made strides but we’re not done changing.”

Ever since the spring session ended, Vanderbilt has added three players — former LSU and Memphis two-sport athlete Maurice Hampton, who is expected to play in the secondary for the Commodores. Tight end Emmanuel Adebi and wide receiver Dariyan Wiley have also committed to Lea over the past week.

“When you go into the portal, what you’re recruiting are people that have already played, or you see them kind of as an evolved version of who they are, so you know more about the guys that you’re bringing in,” Lea continued. “And so in that sense, if we do a good job on the front end, you’re leaning on snap experience and kind of college film to guide you on who can best impact the areas that we need to have impacted.”

Lea says the biggest challenge for a coaching staff isn’t just getting the athletes to commit — but for them to commit and have it all gel together by the end of August. He doesn’t see that becoming an issue for this team, as he believes the team he’s put together is eager to create connections with their new teammates coming in from the portal. Lea expects a quick assimilation of those newcomers’ mindsets and believes his team is primed for a strong summer leading into fall camp.

Vanderbilt kicks off its 2024 college football season at home against Virginia Tech on Aug. 31