Clark Lea enters his sixth season after Vanderbilt finished 10-3 overall and 6-2 in SEC play in 2025, with a veteran offense led by new starting quarterback Jared Curtis. Tim Beck returns for his third season as offensive coordinator, and Curtis takes over after Diego Pavia left. Curtis signed as the program’s highest-ranked recruit. Update (Oct. 14): QB Jared Curtis suffered an injury against Auburn on September 26 and missed the October 3 game at Georgia, with Blaze Berlowitz starting in his absence. Curtis returned to the starting lineup against Ole Miss on October 10. At running back, Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young return, and junior Sherrill returns after catching 54 passes last season. Alabama transfer Cole Adams joins the receiving corps. Update (Oct. 14): Brycen Coleman and Tristen Brown have emerged as starting receivers alongside Sherrill, while Adams and Ja’Cory Thomas provide additional depth. On the offensive line, Cade McConnell is the lone returning full-time starter, and the unit features several new starters. Pitt transfer Lyndon Cooper brings considerable experience, with 13 starts last season. Update (Oct. 14): Vanderbilt’s current starting offensive line features Clinton Azubuike at left tackle, Cade McConnell at left guard, Lyndon Cooper at center, Orion Irving at right guard, and Beau Johnson at right tackle.

Steve Gregory returns as defensive coordinator, and Vanderbilt’s defense brings back seven of its top eleven tacklers from last season, giving the Commodores experience at every level. Longwell, Heard, Miles Capers, and Martel Hight also return as full-time starters. Capers returns along the defensive front, while Boston College transfer Edwin Kolenge joins the group after making 10 starts last season. At linebacker, Longwell returns, while Heard and Hight provide considerable experience in the secondary. Clemson transfer Ricardo Jones adds another experienced option to the defensive backfield after making 12 starts in 2025.

Jeff LePak returns as special teams coordinator, with Brock Taylor back at placekicker. Jackson Foster entered the season as the punter. In the return game, Martel Hight brings punt-return experience, while Junior Sherrill and Alabama transfer Cole Adams are among the primary kickoff-return options.

Vanderbilt entered 2026 with considerable defensive continuity, returning seven of its top eleven tacklers, including both co-leading tacklers from last season. Offensively, the Commodores began a new era with Curtis at quarterback while returning experience at running back and receiver. Update (Oct. 14): Vanderbilt is 3-3 overall and 0-3 in SEC play following a 52-17 loss to Ole Miss on October 10. The Commodores have lost three consecutive conference games to Auburn, Georgia, and Ole Miss while adjusting to Curtis’ early-season injury and a rebuilt offensive line.