Vanderbilt Depth Chart Thursday: Post-Spring Projections for the Commodores

As the Vanderbilt Commodores navigate Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026, head coach Clark Lea faces the enviable task of building on a historic 2025 campaign. Coming off a program-record 10-win season that culminated in a hard-fought 34-27 loss to No. 23 Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl, the stakes are higher than ever in Nashville. With the Black and Gold Spring Game now in the rearview mirror, let us dive into the projected starters and key position battles shaping up for the upcoming season.

The Quarterback Room: The Jared Curtis Era Begins

The most significant shift on the Vanderbilt depth chart comes at the game's most critical position. Following the departure of standout quarterback Diego Pavia to the NFL, offensive coordinator Tim Beck is handing the keys to five-star true freshman Jared Curtis. Curtis has officially been named QB1, but the battle for the primary backup spot remains an intriguing storyline. Blaze Berlowitz and Jack Elliott are actively competing to secure the QB2 role behind Curtis as the Commodores retool their offensive attack.

Offensive Playmakers: Replacing a John Mackey Winner

Tim Beck is also tasked with maintaining offensive production without 2025 star tight end and John Mackey Award winner Eli Stowers, who has also departed for the NFL. The coaching staff will lean heavily on returning starters Sedrick Alexander and Junior Sherrill to anchor the skill positions. Vanderbilt also brought in an intriguing crop of incoming transfers, including Beau Johnson, Jayvontay Conner, and Talan Carter, who are expected to challenge for immediate snaps as the offense seeks to replicate last season's success.

Defensive Core: Returning Veterans and Fresh Faces

Under the direction of defensive coordinator Steve Gregory, the Commodores boast a solid nucleus of returning defensive starters. Nick Rinaldi, Bryan Longwell, Martel Hight, Miles Capers, and CJ Heard are all back to provide veteran leadership. To bolster the depth chart following the transfer portal departures of players like Tre Richardson and Trudell Berry, Clark Lea—who is also serving as the 2026 AFCA President—has infused the roster with transfer acquisitions such as Cobey Sellers, Brian Allen Jr., and Ricardo Jones. These new additions are expected to push the returning starters and solidify the two-deep rotation heading into the fall.