Vanderbilt is making the move to Jared Curtis.
Clark Lea announced that the five-star freshman will start at quarterback this Saturday against NC State, a decision that gives the Commodores a new look under center and carries long-term weight for the SEC rivalry picture down the line.
Curtis had already gotten on the field in both of Vanderbilt’s first two games, but those came without a start. Blaze Berlowitz, the returning quarterback, handled the first snaps in ugly wins over Austin Peay and Delaware. This time, Lea said the plan is different: no quarterback rotation, just Curtis.
Through his first stretch of college action, Curtis has completed 21 of 31 passes for 270 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He has also added 11 carries for 23 yards and two scores. Berlowitz, meanwhile, has gone 14 of 25 for 178 yards without a touchdown or interception this season, while rushing 13 times for 50 yards and one touchdown.
Curtis’ first start comes against an NC State team that enters at 1-1. The Wolfpack opened with a blowout loss at Virginia in Week 0, then answered with a 73-0 win over Richmond.
Vanderbilt and NC State are set for a 12:45 p.m. ET kickoff on the SEC Network.
The quarterback storyline doesn’t stop there. When Tennessee and Vanderbilt meet to finish the 2026 regular season, it could feature two of the top quarterbacks from the 2026 recruiting class. Curtis was ranked by 247 as the No. 2 player and quarterback in the cycle, while Tennessee has opened its first two games with five-star freshman Faizon Brandon, the No. 3 player and quarterback in that class.
Both Brandon and Curtis were ranked behind Houston quarterback signee Keisean Henderson in 247’s ratings. Henderson, though, is beginning his career as the backup to Conner Weigman for the Wildcats.
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