After two seasons of quarterback battles, Vanderbilt will head into August with a definite starter at the position. Coach Derek Mason told reporters on Tuesday that sophomore Kyle Shurmur will be the team's top option behind center.
I want to just say this: We have a clear-cut one and a clear-cut two. Kyle Shurmur is my clear-cut starter.
Shurmur had battled junior Wade Freebeck for the starting role this spring after emerging as the team's No. 1 late in the 2015 season. He went 2-3 as a starter and notched conference wins over Kentucky and Missouri -- something no Vanderbilt quarterback had done since Austyn Carta-Samuels and Patton Robinette teamed up to beat Tennessee in 2013.