Vanderbilt football held its spring game on April 18, 2026, at FirstBank Stadium. Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis participated, while many projected starters did not play to avoid injury.
Key points
Vanderbilt football spring game held on April 18, 2026
Jared Curtis participated as a 5-star freshman quarterback
Many projected starters sat out to avoid injury
Clark Lea will not name a starting quarterback during the spring
Vanderbilt CommodoresJared CurtisBlaze Berlowitz
Jared Curtis' performance and other takeaways from Vanderbilt football spring game
Vanderbilt football completed its annual spring game for 2026 on April 18 at FirstBank Stadium.
While many of the Commodores' projected starters sat out the game to avoid injury, 5-star freshman quarterback Jared Curtis got into action, as did senior quarterback Blaze Berlowitz. Clark Lea said that he would not name a starter during the spring.
Here's what we learned:
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.
Q&A
What were the key takeaways from the Vanderbilt football spring game?
The key takeaways included Jared Curtis' performance and the absence of many projected starters to prevent injuries.
Who is Jared Curtis and what role did he play in the spring game?
Jared Curtis is a 5-star freshman quarterback who participated in the spring game, showcasing his skills despite many starters sitting out.
When was the Vanderbilt football spring game held in 2026?
The Vanderbilt football spring game took place on April 18, 2026.
Will Vanderbilt football name a starting quarterback after the spring game?
Head coach Clark Lea stated that he would not name a starting quarterback during the spring.
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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.
How Jared Curtis, other QBs performed in Vanderbilt football spring game
Curtis showed the ups and downs of a freshman quarterback in the spring game. According to stats kept by The Tennessean, he was 5-for-13 for 88 yards. He did not have a passing touchdown, though he handed off for a rushing touchdown and another of his drives ended in a field goal.
Curtis showed off his prodigious arm strength attempting a deep shot in the first quarter, but overthrew his receiver. He did show the ability to scramble out of contact and throw on the run, though he was in a non-contact jersey, limiting the ability to fully evaluate him as a runner.
"You see physical elements of his game that are unique to him as a human being," Lea said. "His potential for explosive plays, the way he can evade rush, the way he can find receivers down the field, the look that his ball has coming out of his hand. ... Time is going to give him the opportunity to grow into the system, into the structure, because that position needs to be able to line up the other 10 and get them pointed in the same direction. Little things like how he calls the plays in the huddle, his voice and command and cadence. Those are the things we're going to be focused on."
Blaze Berlowitz was 4-for-10 for 77 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Whit Muschamp was 7-for-9 for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Jack Elliott was 6-for-11 for 89 yards.
One wide receiver who stood out
Vanderbilt returns Junior Sherrill but will have to replace its other two starting receivers from a year ago in Richie Hoskins and Tre Richardson. Sherrill sat out the spring game in order to manage his load, but he is a proven producer at the college level.
In his stead, Old Dominion transfer Ja'Cory Thomas turned heads. On one play, he spun out of a tackle for a touchdown on a throw from Muschamp.
"I'm on the big side of receivers, so a lot of people don't think I can run routes," Thomas, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, said. "I think I'm a true route runner. ... I can get physical, but I can be finesse too."
Walter Taylor adjusting to tight end transition
Like Sherrill, Cole Spence also sat out the spring game to avoid injury. That gave the other tight ends chances to display what they could do.
They will need to help replace Eli Stowers, who is expected to be selected in the upcoming NFL draft.
One of those tight ends is Walter Taylor, who formerly played quarterback at Vanderbilt in 2022 and 2023 before transferring to Colorado and then Ball State. He has since transferred back to Vanderbilt and moved to tight end.
Taylor caught a pass from Curtis for a first down at one point in the scrimmage.
"For me, it's about knowing what I'm trying to get accomplished," Taylor said. "I'm trying to stop a guy from going this way, I have to cut them off instead of trying to hit them as hard as I can, just getting my body aligned and having my feet in the ground."
Vanderbilt also brought in transfers Jayvontay Conner and Maurice Veney, who could help, though Veney missed most of the spring with a soft-tissue injury.
The loss of Stowers may force some tweaks to the scheme. Lea suggested that where Vanderbilt frequently used formations with two or three tight ends in 2025, it may more frequently use formations with multiple running backs instead.
Running back is one of the strengths of this team with Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young, though those returners did not play in the spring game.
