Vanderbilt has set its leadership group for the 2026 season, and the Commodores are splitting the responsibility evenly on both sides of the ball.
The four captains named over the weekend are defensive lineman Issa Ouattara, linebacker Nick Rinaldi, tight end Cole Spence and running back Makhilyn “MK” Young. That gives Vanderbilt two offensive leaders and two defensive leaders heading into the season.
Ouattara’s return matters in a big way. He missed all but a few snaps of the 2025 season because of a shoulder injury, but now he’s back for his second stint as a team captain. Vanderbilt is counting on him to be a steady veteran voice and a force up front, especially when it comes to rush defense and getting after the quarterback from the interior.
Rinaldi’s rise has been one of the more notable storylines in the program. This is his first time wearing the captain label, a fitting step for a former walk-on who has worked his way into one of the key roles on the defense and into a leadership spot in the linebacker room. Last season, he led the Commodore defense with nine quarterback hits, added 3.5 sacks and a pass breakup, and finished with 47 tackles.
Spence is also a first-time captain, and his role is about to grow. With former Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers gone, Spence moves from the background into the lead spot for his position group and for the offense.
Even while backing up Stowers last season, he still posted 15 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns. His best outing came in the win over No.
10 LSU, when he hauled in five passes for 56 yards and a score.
Spence said the leadership part of the job is something he’s leaning into.
“I want to be a really, really strong leader for the guys and bring guys around both in football and around the facility and also walk guys through their faith. Part of doing that is a lead by example orientation. So, I want to be so honed in on my process and finding extra spots in my day to get better and better so that I can have the best season I can ever have,” Spence told Vandy On SI over the summer.
Young is also stepping into captaincy for the first time. He gives Vanderbilt a dangerous one-two punch in the backfield alongside Sedrick Alexander, and his production last season showed just how much juice he can bring. Young rushed for 414 yards on 46 carries, an eye-popping 9.0 yards per carry.
That kind of efficiency is hard to ignore, and Young made it clear during fall camp that he takes pride in maximizing every touch.
“All I know is anytime we get the ball and we get the privilege to carry the ball, I want to try to make it the best of the opportunity I’m blessed with. And I take very much pride in that,” Young said during Vanderbilt’s fall camp.
The Commodores will try to start the 2026 season on the right foot Saturday night, when they face Austin Peay at 6 p.m. CT.
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