Clark Lea not ready to commit to starting QB amid Jared Curtis, Blaze Berlowitz battle
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Clark Lea, as expected, isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback for the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2026. Not yet.
Many have assumed that incoming true freshman Jared Curtis, one of the top 3 quarterback prospects in the Class of 2026, is a shoo-in to win the job. As Sports Illustrated reported on Tuesday from SEC Media Days, the Commodores are excited about what Curtis brings to the table, but Lea does not feel pressure to name Curtis the starter just because of his 5-star status.
Instead, the Commodores starter will be the player who proves he puts Vanderbilt in the best position to win.
“The mission’s winning, so this is about how we best position our program to win… we have to evaluate all possibilities and put the best person on the field that’s going to help us win,” Lea said. “Certainly, we’re excited about Jared and believe that he has the physical tools and the mental tools to be a great player in the SEC. We wouldn’t have recruited them if we didn’t feel that way. But, we will make that evaluation through training camp and again, look to best position our team when we play against Austin Peay.”
Battling Curtis for the starting job, primarily, is senior quarterback Blaze Berlowitz, who attempted 17 passes for the Commodores last season across 6 matchups, throwing for 131 yards and 1 touchdown. Also in competition for the role is sophomore Jack Elliott and junior Whit Muschamp.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
