Vanderbilt linebacker Jailen Ruth is officially heading to the NCAA transfer portal when it opens in January, marking a significant move for a player who carved out a key role on special teams and provided depth at one of the Commodores' most versatile defensive positions.
Ruth, a redshirt sophomore listed at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, spent the 2025 season backing up Randon Fontenette at Vanderbilt’s hybrid outside linebacker/safety “Star” position. While his defensive stat line was modest-just two tackles and a fumble recovery across 12 games-his impact stretched far beyond the box score.
Ruth was a fixture on special teams, where he logged 146 snaps and consistently showed up on coverage units and kick return duties. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as the Commodores’ third-best special-teamer in 2025, trailing only Khordae Sydnor and Jamison Curtis.
This isn’t a case of a player buried on the depth chart looking for a fresh start after riding the bench. Ruth saw more game action than any other Vanderbilt player who has announced plans to transfer so far.
His defensive reps were limited-just 57 snaps on that side of the ball, with double-digit appearances only in blowout wins over Charleston Southern, Georgia State, and Kentucky-but his special teams value was undeniable. That’s not a role every player embraces, but Ruth leaned into it and became a reliable presence in that phase of the game, logging 148 special teams snaps the year before as well.
In a message shared on social media, Ruth expressed gratitude for his time at Vanderbilt, thanking head coach Clark Lea, the coaching staff, teammates, and supporters. He emphasized his faith and the opportunities he’s been given, stating he will enter the transfer portal with multiple years of eligibility remaining.
Ruth’s football journey has already taken a few turns. Coming out of Hawthorne High School in Florida as a 3-star recruit in the 2023 class, he initially committed to Washington State after receiving an offer from Vanderbilt that spring. But when the Commodores ramped up their pursuit later in the year, Ruth flipped his commitment and signed with Vandy on Early Signing Day in December 2022.
Originally, the coaching staff projected Ruth as an edge rusher at the Razor position, a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end role that requires a bit more bulk to consistently hold up in the trenches. When his frame didn’t quite fill out for that assignment, the staff pivoted, shifting him to the Star position ahead of the 2025 season-a spot that demands versatility, speed, and the ability to cover in space.
Now, with Ruth’s departure, Vanderbilt will move forward with Fontenette as the clear starter at Star, while redshirt sophomore Tate Hamby could be in line for a bigger role in 2026. Ruth becomes the sixth Commodore to enter the portal this cycle, and notably, the first defensive player to make the move.
Wherever Ruth lands next, he brings two years of eligibility, valuable SEC experience, and a proven track record as a special teams contributor. For programs looking to shore up depth in the secondary or add a high-motor player who can impact the third phase of the game, he’s a name worth watching when the portal opens.