Vanderbilt's Clark Lea Discusses Spring Game, Quarterback Competition, and Emerging Receivers

The Commodores head coach shared his thoughts on the team's progress after the annual Black and Gold game.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Vanderbilt football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in navy blue, gold, and white.Vanderbilt's spring game showcased the team's progress, with the quarterback battle, tight end group, and young receivers all taking shape ahead of the 2026 season.Today in Nashville

Vanderbilt football concluded its spring practice period with the annual Black and Gold game on Saturday. Head coach Clark Lea spoke to the media after the scrimmage, sharing his thoughts on the quarterback competition, the tight end position, and the development of the wide receiver room, including freshman standout Kahden Smith.

Why it matters

Lea's comments provide insight into the state of the Vanderbilt football program as it heads into the offseason. The quarterback battle, the search for replacements at tight end, and the emergence of young playmakers at receiver will all be key storylines to watch as the Commodores prepare for the 2026 season.

The details

Lea was pleased with the overall progress made by the team this spring, though he acknowledged there is still work to be done. He praised the physical traits of freshman quarterback Jared Curtis, but said the team will focus on improving his mental processing and command of the offense over the next few months. At tight end, Lea said the Commodores are looking to replace the production of Eli Stowers, with Cole Spence, Jayvontay Conner, and Walt Taylor all competing for increased roles. The coach also hinted that Vanderbilt may utilize more two-back sets to compensate for the losses at tight end. In the receiving corps, Lea highlighted the leadership and explosiveness of junior wideout Junior McDuffie, as well as the emergence of players like Tristen Brown, Brycen Coleman, and freshman Kahden Smith.

  • The annual Black and Gold spring game took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Clark Lea

The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores football team.

Jared Curtis

A freshman quarterback competing for the starting job at Vanderbilt.

Cole Spence

A tight end who is expected to play a larger role in the Commodores' offense this season.

Kahden Smith

A freshman wide receiver who has impressed the coaching staff this spring.

Junior McDuffie

A junior wide receiver and one of the top returning playmakers for Vanderbilt.

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What they’re saying

“I think he's got a real I've really enjoyed getting to know him as a person. I've really enjoyed his humility, his process, his awareness of what he does know.”

— Clark Lea, Head Coach

“Certainly he believes in himself. He has courage, he has the physical traits to get himself out of trouble. And I think some growth is going to be being willing to do the simple things really well that will ultimately unlock that explosive nature.”

— Clark Lea, Head Coach

“We've had yards after catch and after contact. We've had him behind the defensive time and get connected and synced up with a quarterback. There's a lot to like about Kahden.”

— Clark Lea, Head Coach

What’s next

The Vanderbilt coaching staff will now focus on the next phase of the offseason, using the next three months to further develop the team's quarterbacks, tight ends, and young receivers before fall camp begins.

The takeaway

Vanderbilt's spring game provided a glimpse into the progress the Commodores have made this offseason, with the quarterback competition, tight end group, and receiving corps all showing signs of development. While there is still work to be done, Lea appears optimistic about the team's trajectory heading into the 2026 campaign.