Vanderbilt's QB Competition Remains Open, Coach Says

Highly touted recruit Jared Curtis faces an uphill battle to claim the starting job this fall.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football quarterback in the process of dropping back to pass, with the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, conveying the complexity and uncertainty of Vanderbilt's quarterback competition.Vanderbilt's quarterback competition remains wide open as the team works to integrate highly touted recruit Jared Curtis into its offensive system.Today in Nashville

Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea said the quarterback competition remains open heading into the 2026 season, despite the arrival of highly touted recruit Jared Curtis. Lea indicated that Curtis, a five-star recruit, has some ground to make up in terms of learning the Commodores' system and command of the offense compared to returning backup Blaze Berlowitz.

Why it matters

Vanderbilt is looking to build on a promising 2025 season and Curtis' ability to quickly adapt to the college game could be a key factor in determining the team's starting quarterback. The competition highlights the challenges even elite recruits can face when transitioning to the next level.

The details

During Vanderbilt's spring game, Curtis split reps with Berlowitz, Whit Muschamp and Jack Elliott. While Curtis has the physical tools, Lea said he needs more time to fully grasp the team's offensive system and develop his mental processing. Berlowitz, who has more experience in the program, currently has an edge in that regard.

  • Vanderbilt held its annual spring game on April 18, 2026.
  • The 2026 season is set to begin on September 5.

The players

Clark Lea

The head coach of the Vanderbilt football team.

Jared Curtis

A highly touted five-star quarterback recruit who enrolled early at Vanderbilt.

Blaze Berlowitz

A returning backup quarterback at Vanderbilt with more experience in the team's system.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not going to make a quarterback decision (right now). My goal is for each of these guys to be positioned to compete at the highest level in the fall. They all bring to the table things that can help us win, but we need to take the time to make sure we've seen this super clearly.”

— Clark Lea, Head Coach

“From a physical standpoint, he's there. From a mental processing point, that's where we have to cover ground, and that's where we'll be focused.”

— Clark Lea, Head Coach

What’s next

Vanderbilt will continue to evaluate its quarterback options throughout the summer and into fall camp before naming a starter for the 2026 season opener on September 5.

The takeaway

Vanderbilt's quarterback competition highlights the challenges even elite recruits can face when transitioning to the college game, as they must not only rely on their physical talents but also master the mental aspects of running an offense at the next level.