When Clark Lea steps to the podium for his first Tuesday press conference of the 2026 season, Vanderbilt’s staff will hand out the program’s golden document: the depth chart. But before the official version lands, there’s already a pretty clear picture forming on offense.
Vanderbilt has been cautious about locking in starters at several spots, and that’s especially true under center. Berlowitz is listed as the starter for now, but the job is far from settled.
Curtis remains in the quarterback battle and is still very much in the mix to become the starter down the road. Even so, both quarterbacks are expected to play against Austin Peay, and Berlowitz has work to do if he wants to keep the role beyond that.
The sense around the program is that Tuesday’s decision doesn’t close the door on Curtis as Vanderbilt’s quarterback of the future. It also doesn’t rule out the possibility that he could become the quarterback of the present sooner rather than later. For Berlowitz, Saturday is a prove-it moment if he wants to buy himself another week at the top of the chart.
Behind them, Muschamp finished camp ahead of Elliott by a noticeable margin and sits third in the quarterback room.
At running back, the biggest rise belonged to Evan Hampton. He made a strong push all camp and clearly separated himself from Fields.
Hampton’s speed and pass-catching ability give him a different dimension, and he looks like a back who can help Vanderbilt create explosive plays in 2026. The room is still expected to run through Alexander and Young, who Vanderbilt believes can form one of the conference’s better duos.
Lassiter is getting close to the point where the staff already knows what it has.
Wide receiver looks more settled than a lot of the offense. The projected starters are Junior Sherrill, Ja’Cory Thomas and Cole Adams, with Brycen Coleman, Joseph McVay and Kahden Smith next in line.
Sherrill stands out as the clear top target and may be the best player on the roster. Thomas is healthy again and has separated himself as the No. 2 option.
Adams missed the final stretch of camp, but his experience still puts him in the third spot for now, even if Brown or Barnett could potentially push into that role if Adams isn’t ready.
The rest of the receiver group had its moments, too. Coleman finished camp well, McVay has been playing his best football since arriving at Vanderbilt and Smith was one of the standouts of the entire camp.
Still, none of them forced their way into the top tier. What Vanderbilt gets beyond Thomas remains a major piece of the room’s upside.
Tight end is led by Spence, who looks like the clear No. 1 and the kind of all-around player who could be ready for a breakout if things come together. Jayvontay Conner is the next man up and brings real pass-catching ability of his own.
Maurice Veney and Gabe Fisher should be able to contribute as blockers and can chip in as receivers now and then. Taylor is still learning the position and remains the wild card.
Up front, Vanderbilt’s projected starting five is Beau Johnson, Cade McConnell, Lyndon Cooper, Kevo Wesley and Clinton Azubuike, with Orion Irving, Micah DeBose and Keegan Wechsler next. The staff may not have fully settled on the exact five that will carry through the season, but Johnson, McConnell, Cooper and Azubuike look like the safest bets.
Wesley appears healthy, and there’s real optimism about what he can become. There could also be an or at one of the guard spots when the official depth chart comes out.
Irving seems to be the next lineman in line. DeBose is harder to pin down because of how limited he was in practice. Vanderbilt is also high on Smith and Williams, though both may need more time before they become steady go-to pieces on the line.
In Other News...
Former Vanderbilt Players Face Very Different NFL Futures After Cut Day
Cut day in the NFL left a mixed postcard for several former Vanderbilt players, with tight end Eli Stowers landing on the Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster and giving the Commodores a headline-worthy result as teams trimmed down after preseason play. Defensive lineman Khordae Sydnor and offensive lineman Isaia Glass also found next steps, each earning a spot on a practice squad, which at least keeps them inside the league conversation as the regular season approaches.
The picture is less certain for linebacker Langston Patterson, offensive lineman Bryce Henderson and safety Marlen Sewell, all of whom were waived and have not been reported on a practice squad since. For a Vanderbilt program that continues to send players into pro football, the aftermath of roster cuts serves as a reminder of how quickly those careers can split into very different paths, with some settling in for the season and others still waiting for the next opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Clark Lea Sends Vanderbilt A Clear Message Before The Opener
With the season opener closing in, Clark Lea used Tuesdays practice to deliver a pointed reminder that Vanderbilt still has work to do before the games start counting. The Commodores head coach said the teams effort dipped in the heat, and he made clear he wanted more from the group than what he saw in that session, especially from the units that did not bring the level of intensity he expects.
Leas response was to take the team indoors for the next two days, a move meant to keep preparations moving while also setting a higher standard for the stretch run into game week. For Vanderbilt, the message was less about the weather than the mindset, with Lea challenging his players to raise their energy and effort before the opener arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Fans Got A Tough NFL Reality Check On Cutdown Day
NFL cutdown day brought a familiar mix of relief and disappointment for several former Vanderbilt players as teams around the league trimmed rosters ahead of the regular season. A handful of Commodores survived the deadline and earned spots on 53-man rosters, a reminder that Vanderbilts reach in pro football still runs through plenty of locker rooms this time of year.
Others were not as fortunate, getting released as teams made their final decisions before opening weekend. For Vanderbilt fans, it was a quick snapshot of how spread out the programs NFL presence has become, with some alumni celebrating a place on the team while others now face the uncertainty that comes with waiting for the next call. [Read more 🡒]