Vanderbilt’s Friday practice ahead of Saturday’s second fall camp scrimmage was a lighter one, and that meant fewer live reps and fewer chances for anyone to really let it rip. Still, there was enough on the field to draw some clear lines about where things stand.
The biggest offensive question remains the same one that’s hovered over camp: what happens when Vanderbilt has to throw the ball downfield? Blaze Berlowitz kept doing what he’s done all camp, hitting the easy throws and taking care of the ball, but he still didn’t push it vertically with much success.
That’s a fine formula if the quarterback is Diego Pavia. It’s a much tougher sell if someone else is running the show.
That’s why Jared Curtis feels like the more explosive option. He hasn’t been lighting up practice lately, but he does seem to be handling the offense with more control and fewer mistakes.
His throws come out with more velocity, and that’s still creating some adjustment work for Vanderbilt’s receivers and tight ends. At the same time, he can squeeze the ball into windows others can’t.
The key now is processing, and that part appears to be moving in the right direction.
On the defensive side, Jaylin Lackey turned in his best day of camp so far. After a quieter start, he has put together several solid practices this week, and Friday stood out because he got his hands on multiple passes. His added muscle seems to be helping.
Bishop Starling also earned attention, and Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Steve Gregory made it clear he believes in him. Starling may not look the part, Gregory admitted, but the results have started to show.
He’s been targeted often, yet he’s held up well lately and is making more plays on the ball. That kind of development makes him a player Vanderbilt should keep investing in.
Aaron Bryant spent a lot of time in the backfield Friday, and he looks like a player who could become much more disruptive in 2026 than he was in 2025. Clinton Azubuike isn’t finished yet, but his physical traits are obvious, and his practice production has been steadier. That should get him on the field in 2026.
Kevo Wesley is also moving back into the picture after a hiatus. The question now is how much he’ll play. He looks solid and is in the mix to start at guard, though Vanderbilt still may not be fully settled there.
In Other News...
Vanderbilt Is Near A Quarterback Decision That Could Shape Everything
The quarterback battle in Nashville is moving toward its finish line, and Clark Lea said Vanderbilt is expected to name a starter within the next few days after fall camp wraps up. The race has centered on freshman Jared Curtis and veteran Blaze Berlowitz, two very different options as the Commodores sort out who gives the offense the steadiest path entering the season.
Lea has made clear what the staff is weighing, with ball security, playmaking ability and the best chance to win all sitting near the top of the list. For Vanderbilt, this is about more than choosing a name atop the depth chart. It is the kind of decision that can shape the tone of an entire season, and the final call will say plenty about what the staff believes this offense needs most right now. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilts Offensive Depth Chart Battle Is Finally Starting To Tighten
Vanderbilts Saturday scrimmage gave Clark Lea another chance to sort through a crowded offensive picture, and the day sounded useful more for clarity than for fireworks. The Commodores got a closer look at where things stand across the depth chart, and Lea said he was pleased with the work while making it clear the staff will keep grinding through the evaluation process.
Across the board, the offense turned in a mixed showing, with some quarterbacks and running backs flashing in limited action while others either had quiet days or were not available. For a team still trying to define roles, that kind of uneven afternoon is part of the process, and it leaves the real intrigue in how the pecking order settles over the next stretch of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Tanner Just Raised The Stakes For Vanderbilt This Season
Tyler Tanners breakout second season has given Vanderbilt something every program wants and every opponent has to account for: a guard who can tilt the game in more than one way. He took a clear step forward as a scorer, playmaker and defender, and his improved shooting efficiency only sharpened the value he brings on both ends of the floor. Last seasons production showed just how much he can do when he is in rhythm.
For Vanderbilt, the bigger takeaway is what Tanners rise could mean for the months ahead. He is already drawing attention as a potential mid-to-late first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, which says plenty about the level he is approaching. His size may ultimately shape where he lands, but if this season builds on what he already showed, the Commodores may spend plenty of time with Tanner at the center of everything they do. [Read more 🡒]