Opening kickoff is approaching for Vanderbilt football and the depth chart is starting to settle.
The Commodores have already answered the question at quarterback — for now, at least — with Blaze Berlowitz. Some other positions have a set starter, but there are other spots where battles are ongoing. At many positions, there is one incumbent starter and a battle for the second starting spot.
Vanderbilt opens its 2026 season on Sept. 5 (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network+) against Austin Peay.
After viewing several weeks of open practices in the preseason, here is our projected depth chart:
Offense
Quarterback
Starter: Blaze Berlowitz
Reserve: Jared Curtis
Running back
Starter: Sedrick Alexander
Reserves: Makhilyn Young, Jamezell Lassiter, Evan Hampton, Izayah Lee
Wide receiver
Starters: Junior Sherrill, Ja'Cory
Thomas, Tristen Brown
Reserves: Cole Adams, Joseph McVay, Kayleb Barnett
Tight end
Starter: Cole Spence
Reserves: Jayvontay Conner, Walter Taylor
Offensive tackle
Starters: Clinton Azubuike, Beau Johnson
Reserves: Orion Irving, Michael Smith, CJ Williams
Offensive guard
Starters: Cade McConnell, Kevo Wesley
Reserves: Micah DeBose, Gunner Givens
Center
Starter: Lyndon Cooper
Reserve: Cade McConnell
Berlowitz has already been tabbed the starting quarterback for the opening game. Sedrick Alexander and Cole Spence are returners who should be the top dogs at running back and tight end, respectively, but the group of running backs behind Alexander is interesting. Young, Hampton and possibly Lassiter and Lee should see plenty of playing time as well, perhaps at the expense of an additional receiver.
On the offensive line, Azubuike, Irving and Johnson are in a three-way competition for the two starting tackle spots, and the second guard spot may be fluid. Cooper seems set at center.
Defense
Edge
Starter: Miles Capers
Reserves: Brian Allen Jr., Mason Carter
Defensive line
Starters: Issa Ouattara, Glenn Seabrooks, Aaron Bryant
Reserves: Bradley Mann, Mike Diatta, Jaylon Stone
Linebacker
Starters: Bryan Longwell, Bryce Cowan, Nick Rinaldi
Reserves: Tate Hamby, Jamison Curtis, Austin Howard
Cornerback
Starters: Martel Hight, Jordan Matthews
Reserves: Jaylin Lackey, Cayden Daniels
Safety
Starters: CJ Heard, Ricardo Jones
Reserves: Dontae Carter, Davin Chandler, Carson Lawrence
The defense is heavy on returners, but there were several players who stood out during the preseason looking to make their marks. Especially at cornerback, the competition could turn fierce for the second starting spot alongside Hight. The linebacker group is particularly experienced, but players like Curtis, Hamby and Howard will need to get additional experience, with Rinaldi and Cowan done after this season.
Special teams
Kicker
Starter: Brock Taylor
Reserve: Justin Dewers
Punter
Starter: Tyler Ebel
Reserve: Conor Weasler
Long snapper
Starter: Kaden Schickel
Reserve: Stone Owens
Kick returner
Starter: Junior Sherrill
Reserves: Kayleb Barnett, Evan Hampton
Punt returner
Starter: Martel Hight
Reserves: Cole Adams, Tristen Brown
These spots are pretty settled. Taylor, Hight and Sherrill will reprise roles from last year, while Ebel and Schickel were brought in from the portal to start. Vanderbilt isn't afraid to have starting offensive and defensive players play on special teams.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football projected depth chart 2026, position battle winners
