Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor set a school record for 50-plus yard field goals in 2024. Despite a reduced role in 2025, expectations remain high for his performance in the 2026 season.
Key points
Brock Taylor set a school record for 50-plus yard field goals
Taylor made 13 of 14 field goals in 2025
He had 60 of 61 successful extra points
Vanderbilt expects more from Taylor in 2026
Brock TaylorVanderbilt
How Vanderbilt football's special teams can improve in 2026
Brock Taylor set records in his first year playing college football.
The Vanderbilt kicker, as a redshirt freshman in 2024, set a school record for most career 50-plus yard field goals. Expectations were high in 2025, but the Commodores' offense was so good that Taylor barely needed to do much. He went from 21 field goal attempts in 2024 to 14 in 2025. He performed well on those attempts, making 13 of 14 as well as 60 of 61 extra points.
Vanderbilt still believes Taylor has more in the tank entering the 2026 season.
"The things we work on with Brock now are kind of back to the fundamentals," assistant special teams coordinator Shane Gallant said April 16. "I think some things we focus on with Brock have been those short space field goals in tight ... so balls on the six-yard line, on the left hash, those are kicks that often get lost in the shuffle."
Vanderbilt defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III (53) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Q&A
What records did Brock Taylor set in his first year at Vanderbilt?
Brock Taylor set a school record for the most career 50-plus yard field goals during his first year playing college football in 2024.
How did Brock Taylor perform in the 2025 season?
In the 2025 season, Taylor made 13 of 14 field goal attempts and 60 of 61 extra points, despite having fewer attempts than in 2024.
What are the expectations for Vanderbilt's special teams in 2026?
Vanderbilt believes that Brock Taylor has more potential to contribute significantly to the special teams as they enter the 2026 season.
How many field goal attempts did Brock Taylor have in 2025?
Brock Taylor had 14 field goal attempts in the 2025 season.
Related Articles
Sports·Recap
No. 13 Minnesota Eliminates No. 4 UCLA To Join Oklahoma In Final Four
Minnesota takes down UCLA to join Oklahoma in NCAA Gymnastics Final Four!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL·Recap
Hockey recap: Griffins top scorer John Leonard signs extension with Wings
John Leonard signs one-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Hunter Goodman powers the Rockies past the Astros 3-2, snapping a 6-game skid
Hunter Goodman powers Rockies to a 3-2 win over Astros, ending a six-game skid.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Dudinha: “If I click with the style of play, everything flows”
Dudinha discusses her strong start with San Diego Wave and dreams of the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Warriors HC Steve Kerr hails Stephen Curry's game vs. Clippers as one of the greats
Steve Kerr praises Stephen Curry's incredible performance against the Clippers
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Padres beat Mariners 5-2 behind Tatis, Buehler for 8th straight win, 11th in 12 games
Padres beat Mariners 5-2, marking their eighth straight win!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt coach Wes Lea runs drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jack Elliott (11) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Blaze Berlowitz goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III (53) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt offensive line coach Chris Klenakis goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt tight end Elijah Rooney (49) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) hands off to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt running back Gabe Fields (24) runs during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Blaze Berlowitz (1) hands off to running back Sedrick Alexander (28) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt tight end Cole Spence goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) pitches to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt tight end Maurice Venay (45) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt tight ends coach Brendan Flaherty goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Whit Muschamp (10) hands off to running back Jamezell Lassiter (41) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) hands off to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jack Elliott (11) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
1 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III (53) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
1 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III (53) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
2 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
3 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
4 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt coach Wes Lea runs drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
5 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jack Elliott (11) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
6 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Blaze Berlowitz goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
7 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III (53) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
8 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt offensive line coach Chris Klenakis goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
9 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt tight end Elijah Rooney (49) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
10 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) hands off to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
11 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt running back Gabe Fields (24) runs during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
12 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Blaze Berlowitz (1) hands off to running back Sedrick Alexander (28) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
13 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt tight end Cole Spence goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
14 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) pitches to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
15 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt tight end Maurice Venay (45) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
16 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt tight ends coach Brendan Flaherty goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
17 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Whit Muschamp (10) hands off to running back Jamezell Lassiter (41) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
18 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
19 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) hands off to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
20 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
21 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jack Elliott (11) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
22 / 22
Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Taylor is also working on developing chemistry with a new long snapper, Kaden Schickel, a transfer from Michigan State. His expected holder, transfer punter Tyler Ebel, hasn't arrived on campus yet while he finishes up classes at South Dakota.
He's also healthier. He's dealt with knee tendinitis in past offseasons and has been limited, but this spring, he's full go.
"This spring, the biggest emphasis has been working with Kaden, our new snapper, and then obviously, Tyler's going to get here in summer. ... Just re-iterating with my consistency, making sure that when I do go back, it stays in the same ball flight and everything, and just trying to make sure my swing and body keeps it going."
Vanderbilt's primary punt returner last year was Martel Hight and its main kick returner was Tre Richardson. Hight is back, but Richardson transferred to Louisville.
Hight is again in the mix to return punts in 2026 after having 10 returns for 76 yards. That wasn't as productive as his 2024 season, when he had 18 returns for 265 yards and was named second team All-SEC.
Junior Sherrill could return to his old kick return role that he had in 2024, but others in the mix include Alabama transfer Cole Adams and returnee Tristen Brown. With the Crimson Tide, Adams returned 19 punts for 156 yards and one kick for 20 yards in 2025.
"The punt return game is fluid right now," Gallant said. "You've got Martel, you've got Cole and another guy we trust a lot is Tristen Brown. ... Martel was an all-conference SEC returner last year, we didn't have the best success on punt return, so our primary focus is right now, we know Martel and Cole can both do it for us at a high level. Our primary focus this offseason has been on just evolving our techniques in the blocking game."