SEC · 2026

Vanderbilt

2025 record 10–3 6–2 conference
Postseason ReliaQuest Bowl L 27–34 vs Iowa
Head coach Clark Lea
Scheme Multiple / 4-2-5
Conference
C+

10–3 baseline and returning skill/DB pieces, but Pavia’s exit + Portal #15 and a 5.5 market keep Vanderbilt out of the B tier

Portal
D+

Portal #15

Depth
C+

The two-deep is respectable behind Alexander/Sherrill/Heard; QB succession is the hole

Market odds

To Win SEC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 5.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #14 40 commits · 252.89 pts
Portal #15 18 commits· avg 86.94

Roster notes

Leading story

Jared Curtis is listed QB1 after Diego Pavia’s exit — unproven ESPN sample

Offense

RB Sedrick Alexander; WR Brycen Coleman / Junior Sherrill / Cole Adams; TE Cole Spence. OL: Beau Johnson / Cade McConnell / Lyndon Cooper / Micah DeBose / Orion Irving

Defense

Brian Allen Jr. / Yilanan Ouattara / Glenn Seabrooks III / Miles Capers; Bryan Longwell / Nick Rinaldi; Jordan Matthews / Ricardo Jones / Dontae Carter / Martel Hight / CJ Heard

Key offense

  1. 01
    Sedrick Alexander RB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 105 carries, 567 yds, 11 rushing TD
    • 19 receptions, 200 yds, 4 TD
  2. 02
    Junior Sherrill WR
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 54 receptions, 784 yds, 7 TD
  3. 03
    Jared Curtis QB
    Returning
    • Listed QB1
    • 2025 ESPN athlete statistics unavailable — unproven vs Pavia’s 2025 line (267/378, 3,539 yds, 29 TD, 8 INT
    • 167 carries, 862 yds, 10 rushing TD)

Key defense

  1. 01
    CJ Heard NB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 71 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PD
  2. 02
    Martel Hight CB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 35 tackles, 4 INT, 2 PD
  3. 03
    Miles Capers DE
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 PD