- Head Coach: Clark Lea (fifth season)
- 2024 Record: 7-6 (won Birmingham Bowl)
- Strength of Schedule: 16th
- PFF Projected Win Total: 6.6
- FanDuel Win Total: 4.5
2024 Recap
Vanderbilt was one of college football’s best Cinderella stories in 2024, posting its first winning season since James Franklin’s final year in 2013. Among those seven wins was a stunning upset of top-ranked Alabama, arguably the most memorable victory in school history.
At the heart of the Commodores’ resurgence were New Mexico State transfers Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers, both of whom return in 2025. For Vanderbilt to take the next step, however, the defense will need to show meaningful improvement.
Biggest Strength: Arguably the best quarterback-tight end pairing in college football
Vanderbilt’s offense is headlined by two elite talents: PFF’s No. 8 quarterback Diego Pavia and the top-ranked tight end in college football, Eli Stowers. Texas is the only other program in the country that returns both a top-10 quarterback and a top-10 tight end. The Commodores will lean heavily on that dynamic duo to drive their offense in 2025.
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