- Jared Curtis takes over at quarterback: The five-star freshman and Nashville native enters Vanderbilt as the No. 2 quarterback recruit in the 2026 class.
- The offense retains plenty of potential: Vanderbilt returns its top two running backs and leading wide receiver Junior Sherrill after fielding the Power Four’s most efficient offense by EPA per play in 2025.
- The defense needs to take another step: The Commodores ranked 88th nationally in EPA per play allowed last season despite making modest improvements.
While the 2024 season was a successful one for Vanderbilt, it proved to be merely an appetizer for a historic 2025 campaign. The Commodores won 10 games for the first time in program history, while quarterback Diego Pavia finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish ever by a Vanderbilt player.
Vanderbilt also boasted the most efficient offense in the Power Four in terms of EPA per play. The Commodores will now turn to five-star freshman Jared Curtis at quarterback and hope he can lead the offense to similar heights in 2026.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- WR Ja’Cory Thomas (Old Dominion)
- OT Beau Johnson (North Dakota State)
- C Lyndon Cooper (Pitt)
- TE Jayvontay Conner (East Carolina)
- S Ricardo Jones (Clemson)
Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- WR Tre Richardson (Louisville)
- S Randon Fontenette (Colorado)
- ED Linus Zunk (Washington State)
- RB AJ Newberry (Oregon State)
Biggest strength: An offense that still has a lot of potential
While losing quarterback Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers certainly hurts, there is still plenty to like about Vanderbilt’s offense. Quarterback Jared Curtis was the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2026 class and has drawn comparisons to Matthew Stafford.
The Commodores also return their top two running backs and leading wide receiver Junior Sherrill. With Tim Beck, arguably the best offensive coordinator in the country, calling the plays, Vanderbilt still has the pieces to field a strong offense in 2026.
Biggest question mark: Can the defense carry its weight?
The high-flying offense has been the headliner in Nashville over the past two seasons, but Vanderbilt returns an experienced defense that will need to make a greater impact in 2026. Seven of the 14 players who logged at least 300 snaps for the unit last season are back, while impact transfers such as defensive tackle Talan Carter (Jacksonville State) and safety Ricardo Jones (Clemson) should provide additional help.
Vanderbilt’s defense made modest improvements last season but still ranked just 88th nationally in EPA per play allowed. With regression likely on offense, the Commodores will need the defense to take another step forward.
Quarterback: Jared Curtis
The new era of Vanderbilt football has brought wins off the field as well as on it, with the biggest recruiting victory so far being the addition of Jared Curtis, the No. 2 quarterback recruit in the 2026 class. The Nashville native stands 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds and possesses a loose, athletic delivery reminiscent of Matthew Stafford. Like Stafford, Curtis can create explosive plays from a variety of arm angles.
Curtis’ development could determine the future of the program, and there is little standing in the way of him winning the starting job as a true freshman.
Offensive Player Spotlight: WR Junior Sherrill
Sherrill was Vanderbilt’s top wide receiver last season, leading the team with 775 receiving yards. His 132.4 passer rating when targeted ranked sixth among SEC receivers.
Despite standing just 5-foot-11, Sherrill plays bigger than his size, hauling in seven of his 14 contested targets. He is also an elusive playmaker, forcing 10 missed tackles while consistently creating separation as a route-runner.
Defensive Player Spotlight: S CJ Heard
Heard transferred from FAU last season and delivered a solid debut campaign in the SEC. He ranked second on Vanderbilt’s defense in snaps and third in total tackles, including 25 defensive stops, which ranked 15th among FBS safeties.
Heard should pair well with Clemson transfer Ricardo Jones, who recorded six interceptions last season, to form one of the more underrated safety duos in the country.
Bottom Line
If Curtis can immediately live up to the hype, Vanderbilt has a chance to reach a bowl game for the third straight season.
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