Depth Chart Thursday: Jared Curtis Leads Vanderbilt’s New Era Under Clark Lea
As Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 winds down, all eyes are on the Commodores' high-stakes quarterback transition.
As the Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 period draws to a close, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea is tasked with building upon the program's historic 10-win 2025 campaign. The most critical position battle of the summer has effectively concluded, with five-star freshman Jared Curtis firmly established as the quarterback slated to lead the offense.
Following the departure of Diego Pavia, the Commodores are leaning on Curtis to pilot Tim Beck's offensive scheme. While Curtis sits at the top of the depth chart, he is supported by backups Blaze Berlowitz and Jack Elliott, who continue to compete for reps as the team prepares for a rigorous nine-game conference slate.
Defensive coordinator Steve Gregory is also working to integrate a wave of high-impact transfers, including CJ Jackson and Jaylin Davies, to bolster a roster that saw significant turnover in the off-season. With Coach Lea entering his sixth season, the focus remains on maintaining the defensive identity that defined last year's bowl appearance against Iowa.
Published 3 months ago
Staff
Staff writer for SEC Saturday Wire covering college sports.
Process Notes & Methodology
The article focuses on the transition from the Pavia era to the Jared Curtis era. This is the most significant storyline for the 2026 season given the historic nature of the previous year.
I opened by framing the current off-season timeline within the context of Clark Lea's tenure and the expectation of maintaining 2025's momentum.
I utilized the verified QB depth chart involving Jared Curtis, highlighted the influence of OC Tim Beck and DC Steve Gregory, and integrated the arrival of key transfers to round out the depth chart perspective.
I ended by acknowledging the difficult upcoming conference schedule to emphasize why the stability of the quarterback position is vital for the team's success.
See something wrong? Fix it.
We're the first crowdsourced college football site. Submit corrections — our editors review every one.