Vanderbilt football is not satisfied with their 10-win season last year because they failed to qualify for the College Football Playoff and did not win the SEC. The team aims to improve and set higher goals for the upcoming season.
Why Vanderbilt football isn't satisfied with last year's 10-win season
The Commodores got a taste of success, but they didn't qualify for the College Football Playoff or win the SEC. Going forward, that will be the bar.
"The biggest thing we had a really good season last year, but we didn't finish," safeties coach Melvin Rice said. "So ... to have such a successful season, not getting a ring at the end. That's our motivation. So when those guys came back in the building, we just wanted to attack every day."
Vanderbilt no longer has Diego Pavia, the Heisman runner-up, or potential high-round draft pick Eli Stowers. But it does have Jared Curtis, the 5-star recruit who is the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country. He is competing for the starting job with returner Blake Berlowitz.
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.
The Commodores last season won 10 games and beat Tennessee in Knoxville, but they lost in the regular season to the two playoff teams they faced in Alabama and Texas.
"We just want more," safety Jailen Ruth said. "We had a good season last year at 10-2, but we want more. We want to be in the playoffs. We want to be able to have a chance to play for a national title, and we just want to keep going."
Ruth entered the transfer portal during the offseason but opted instead to return, feeling like the opportunity at Vanderbilt was too good to pass up.
While Pavia, the first player to openly profess belief that the Commodores could win a national championship, is gone, the culture he created through setting his standards high has remained. Clark Lea has remained a constant throughout it all, hoping to make good on his statement from 2022 SEC Media Days that Vanderbilt would in time be the best program in the country.
"The vision for this place, the relatedness of the team (Lea) wanted to be a part of and lead, has always been the same," nickels coach Arion Shinaver said. "I think the buy-in each year, though, has changed, and you see the success as a result of that."
Shinaver has been part of the staff since 2022, starting as a scouting intern, but this is his first year as a full position coach. He is hungry to prove himself as well. The safeties room is much more experienced than a year ago, bringing back Dontae Carter, Carson Lawrence and CJ Heard as well as bringing in Clemson transfer Ricardo Jones. According to Rice, redshirt freshman Davin Chandler has also been a standout.
Lawrence is at a new position now, having moved to the "star" hybrid linebacker/safety position after the departure of Randon Fontenette, who transferred to Colorado.
Lawrence is buying into that new role. He, too, is hungry to prove that Vanderbilt isn't just a one-year wonder.
"Just because we won 10 games last year doesn't mean anything this year," Lawrence said. "We're looking to do more than that this year, so we've just got to stay hungry."
Why didn't Vanderbilt football qualify for the College Football Playoff last year?
Vanderbilt football did not qualify for the College Football Playoff last year despite their 10-win season, as they did not win the SEC.
What are Vanderbilt football's goals for the upcoming season?
Vanderbilt football aims to improve upon last year's performance by qualifying for the College Football Playoff and winning the SEC.
Who is Melvin Rice and what did he say about last season?
Melvin Rice is the safeties coach for Vanderbilt football, and he expressed that the team is motivated to improve after not finishing strong last season.
What does Vanderbilt football consider a successful season?
Vanderbilt football considers a successful season one that includes not only a high number of wins but also qualifying for the College Football Playoff and winning a championship.
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