Vanderbilt names starting quarterback

Vanderbilt will begin the 2016 season with Kyle Shurmur as its starting quarterback.

The Commodores host South Carolina in the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 1.

“I want to just say this: We have a clear-cut one and a clear-cut two,” head coach Derek Mason told Vanderbilt media on Tuesday. “Kyle Shurmur is my clear-cut starter.”

Shurmur started five games of the last six games in 2015 as a true freshman. He threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns in a season-ending loss to Tennessee. On the season he had 503 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Junior Wade Freebeck is the backup. He was third string in 2015 after starting four games as a true freshman in 2014.