Vanderbilt TE Witt Edwards to Enter Transfer Portal, Eyes Fresh Start with Four Years of Eligibility
Vanderbilt tight end Witt Edwards is set to hit the NCAA transfer portal this January, seeking a fresh start after two seasons in Nashville that never quite got off the ground. The former 4-star recruit from the 2024 class made the announcement Friday, confirming he’ll look for a new opportunity with four full years of eligibility remaining.
Edwards’ time at Vanderbilt has been a story of potential interrupted by injury and depth chart traffic. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder saw the field in just one game over two seasons and didn’t record a stat.
His true freshman campaign in 2024 was wiped out by a significant knee injury, and while he returned to action in 2025, he wasn’t able to carve out a role despite showing flashes in practice. With fellow tight ends Brycen Coleman and Eli Stowers battling injuries during the year, there were moments when Edwards looked poised to break through-but it never materialized into consistent playing time.
Heading into 2026, Edwards was projected to be the backup at the flex tight end spot behind Coleman, a fellow 4-star from the same recruiting class. But with playing time still uncertain and his development path unclear, the Oklahoma native made the decision to explore other options.
“After a lot of thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining,” Edwards wrote in a statement. “I will forever be grateful to coach Clark Lea for giving me this opportunity at Vanderbilt.
I want to thank my teammates, the support staff and everyone who's supported me. I'm looking forward to this next chapter where I can continue to grow on and off the field.”
Edwards’ exit opens up an intriguing spot in Vanderbilt’s tight end room. Coleman remains the projected starter at the flex position, but the depth chart behind him is now wide open.
That could create an early opportunity for incoming 4-star freshman Tilden Riley, who might be in line for immediate snaps if he impresses during spring and fall camps. The Commodores could also dip into the transfer portal themselves or shift a current player to the flex role to help fill the gap.
Coming out of Wagoner High School in Oklahoma, Edwards was one of the more versatile and intriguing prospects in the 2024 class. Though he was listed at around 200 pounds back then, his athleticism and positional flexibility made him a hot commodity.
He played just about everything in high school-wide receiver, tight end, edge rusher, linebacker, and even defensive back. That kind of versatility drew offers from a who’s who of Power Four programs, including Kansas, Kansas State, Mississippi State, NC State, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Tennessee.
Ultimately, he chose Vanderbilt over Iowa State and Houston after a long recruitment process.
Vanderbilt initially brought him in as a wide receiver, but after redshirting his first year and adding size, he transitioned to the flex tight end position. The move made sense given his frame, hands, and ability to stretch the field-a hybrid role that could still unlock his potential in the right system.
Edwards is one of several Commodores heading to the portal this week. Quarterback Jeremy St-Hilaire and offensive linemen Cooper Starks and Misael Sandoval have also announced their intentions to transfer. Quarterback Drew Dickey declared for the portal earlier this month on December 4.
For Edwards, the road hasn’t been easy, but the tools that made him a top recruit are still there. With a clean bill of health and a full slate of eligibility ahead, he’ll be one to watch in the portal-especially for programs looking for a high-upside athlete who’s ready to contribute and hungry to prove himself.