Is Jared Curtis really in a QB competition at Vanderbilt? Clark Lea says yes

Is Jared Curtis really in a QB competition at Vanderbilt? Clark Lea says yes

Jared Curtis, considered by some to be the No. 1-ranked quarterback for the class of 2026, is listed as No. 2 on Vanderbilt football's spring roster.

Where the Nashville Christian graduate and Commodores early enrollee ends up on the depth chart come the 2026 season's beginning on Sept. 5 remains to be seen.

Curtis' 6-foot-3, 230-pound stature, not to mention his arm, give off NFL vibes, suggesting he would be a no-brainer pick to be the Commodores' heir apparent to Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia when the season begins. Especially considering Curtis rescinded his commitment to Georgia to play for Vanderbilt football.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles under the pressure from Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) drops back during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) directs his receivers while pressured by Vanderbilt linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles under the pressure from Vanderbilt edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) drops back during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) directs his receivers while pressured by Vanderbilt linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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Vanderbilt holds Black & Gold spring football game in Nashville

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea reiterated after the team's spring game on April 18 that there's a quarterback competition. He insists that it's real.

"I'm not going to make a quarterback decision (right now)," he said. "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."

'You can't prepare four people to play in a game'

During the April 18 Black and Gold spring game, the culmination of Vanderbilt football's spring practices, Curtis took turns taking snaps with Blaze Berlowitz, Whit Muschamp and Jack Elliott.

Lea later reminded everyone in the interview room what is obvious, but still relevant.

"You can't prepare four people to play in a game," Lea said. "So this will be kind of a process of elimination."

The spring portion of that process came to a close April 18, which, by Lea's estimation, was not nearly as important as the team's previous two scrimmages because this was more for fans and friends and families.

A celebration of the end of spring practice, if you will.

No official statistics were kept, outside of a wonky scoring system, but stats were kept nonetheless.

Berlowitz, who played the first two drives, was 4-for-10 for 77 yards a touchdown and an interception.

Curtis finished 5-for-13 for 88 yards with no interceptions or touchdowns.

Muschamp was 7-for-9 for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Elliott was 6-for-11 for 89 yards.

Clark Lea on Jared Curtis: 'Important for us to give him time'

Lea isn't ignoring the elephant in the Commodores' quarterback room. He knows that, for the most part, outside expectation is that Curtis will be the starter. Curtis will receive a majority of the attention, for better or worse, as a five-start recruit. Comes with the territory.

Lea also knows that Berlowitz, right now, knows the Commodores' system better. Has more experience.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

"For (Curtis) to close the gap, and I think it's important for us to give him time to close the gap ... time is going to give him the opportunity to grow into the system, into the structure," Lea said, "because that position needs to be able to line up the other 10 and get them pointed in the same direction."

In other words: Time to learn how to command a huddle, get his cadence down, get his mind into the same stratosphere as his natural abilities, be willing to make the little plays so he can make the bigger plays.

"From a physical standpoint, he's there," Lea said of Curtis. "From a mental processing point, that's where we have to cover ground, and that's where we'll be focused."

Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Jared Curtis really is in QB competition at Vanderbilt, Clark Lea says