Vanderbilt Brings Back Former QB as Tight End

Commodores add ex-QB Walter Taylor to roster in position change

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Vanderbilt football player in motion, with their body broken down into sharp, angular geometric shapes and planes of color, conveying a sense of dynamic movement and creative roster strategy.Vanderbilt's decision to convert a former quarterback into a tight end reflects the team's innovative approach to roster building.Mississippi State Today

Vanderbilt's football team has brought back former quarterback Walter Taylor and converted him to play tight end. The move came after the coaching staff decided to shift another player, Brycen Coleman, to wide receiver, creating a need at tight end late in the winter transfer portal window.

Why it matters

The decision to bring in Taylor, a player with prior experience at Vanderbilt, as a tight end is seen as a low-risk, high-reward move by the coaching staff as they look to bolster the roster and fill a position of need.

The details

Vanderbilt's coaching staff was impressed by Taylor's past game film against Mississippi State and felt he had the potential to contribute as a tight end, despite his previous role as a quarterback.

  • Vanderbilt made the decision to move Brycen Coleman to wide receiver late in the winter transfer portal window.

The players

Walter Taylor

A former quarterback at Vanderbilt who has been brought back to the team and converted to play tight end.

Brycen Coleman

A Vanderbilt player who has been moved from tight end to wide receiver, creating a need at the tight end position.

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The takeaway

Vanderbilt's decision to bring in a former quarterback and convert him to tight end shows the coaching staff's willingness to take creative approaches to address roster needs and find hidden talent on the roster.