[Tuck4Bama]

Vanderbilt practiced for about an hour Thursday as preparations wound down for Saturday's season opener against visiting Richmond.

"We're just going over every little detail we can and trying to anticipate others," Commodores Coach Bobby Johnson said. "It was our normal Thursday prep practice."

Having spent much of the preseason getting ready for the Spiders, Vanderbilt's last handful of workouts have been almost anti-climactic.

"We've been working on this game plan for a while," Johnson said. "It's not much different than what we've been doing the last week."

Big years expected: Johnson referred to senior defensive tackle Gabe Hall, sophomore receiver Justin Wheeler and sophomore linebacker Brandon Bryant as players most likely to provide surprises this season.

"Gabe's been steady the last couple of years; I think he's ready for a big year," Johnson said. "I've been predicting Brandon was ready. I think he's going to play at a high level. Justin had a good preseason camp."

Hall, a Virginia Beach native, has 25 career tackles. He had nine total tackles last season, including three in the season opener at Michigan. Bryant contributed 18 total stops last fall, including two for lost yardage, and a pair of forced fumbles. Wheeler played in six games last season, but did not register a reception.


Final practice gives attention to details