Fall camp has been underway for just under a month, and clear starters have begun to emerge. Vanderbilt returns 69% of its production from last season, the seventh best returning production rate in Division I college football. Still, an array of new faces joined the roster this offseason, as head coach Clark Lea and Co. brought in 20 new transfers to bolster their team. Expectations remain high for Lea to build off a stellar 2024 season as Vanderbilt approaches its season opener against Charleston Southern on Aug. 30.
Unlike previous years, there’s more clarity at several position groups. Diego Pavia is the starting quarterback, and the rest of the offense has started to fall into place around him. The receiver room has a variety of new faces, including Martel Hight, who now plays both ways, and the running back room will be led by Sedrick Alexander. Langston Patterson and Randon Fontenette will anchor the defense with several transfer additions also set to make an impact.
No quarterback competition
Pavia is the clear starting quarterback. He’s looked far better than any other quarterback on the roster in fall camp, and his leadership qualities are undeniable. His ability to orchestrate the offense is valuable, and he’s already built a fantastic connection with tight end Eli Stowers and former New Mexico State standout wide receiver Trent Hudson. In terms of the backup position, Blaze Berlowitz seems to be the most trusted player for Lea. Drew Dickey and Whit Muschamp have taken their fair share of reps in fall camp, but it seems they are buried on the depth chart. If Pavia is removed from games this season for whatever reason, Berlowitz should be the next man up to take his spot.
Pavia has been relatively accurate throughout camp, although his arm strength has always been a concern since he stepped on West End. He’s susceptible to underthrown deep balls which make it difficult for receivers to time up the catch. Berlowitz has flashed better arm talent, but the accuracy doesn’t seem to be quite there yet. Pavia’s mobility has also been solid this fall camp after it was revealed he played on a partially torn hamstring near the end of last season.
“[Diego]’s such a connector,” Lea said on Monday. “He’s led from the front [and] been able to build connections with offensive and defensive players.”
More aggressive secondary
Newly appointed defensive coordinator Steve Gregory is looking to change the fortune of the Vanderbilt defense after it allowed the third most scrimmage yards in the SEC last season. While the defense largely adopted a “bend don’t break” strategy in 2024, there’s been an emphasis this fall camp on doing more to go out and make plays.
“Third down performance and takeaways — that’s been our focus,” Lea said earlier this week. “We need to be more aggressive and assertive on the ball.”
Lea expects Gregory, who wore the green dot and signaled plays for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots in 2012-2013, to help the defense take more risks this season.
“[Gregory] knows what’s it’s like out there,” defensive backs coach Jamaal Richardson said. “He’s comfortable letting guys play.”
FAU transfer CJ Heard projects to start at safety alongside graduate Marlon Sewell. True freshman Carson Lawrence has made an impact this fall and will likely rotate in along with Dontae Carter to round out the safety room.
The cornerback position brings some question marks after Martel Hight was sidelined for most of fall camp. Marlon Jones, who missed the 2024 season after he was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, is back and appears ready to make an impact in the secondary. Other options include Jaylin Lackey, whom Richardson called his best man-to-man corner, Kolbey Taylor and Mark Davis. Tennessee transfer Jordan Matthews has been off to the side for most of camp, though he was involved in some more drills today.
Pass-catchers emerging
With the graduation of Quincy Skinner, Jr., from an already thin position group, the wide receiver room has many new names and faces entering 2025. Third-year Junior Sherrill will be Pavia’s clear top option at wideout after his 411 receiving yards trailed only Eli Stowers last season. But behind Sherrill, the rest of the room has a lot of question marks.
Though he’s never played at Vanderbilt, Hudson is a familiar face to Pavia, whom he played with at New Mexico State in 2023. Hudson snagged 35 passes for 551 yards and ten touchdowns that season, and he looks to re-emerge as a top option for his former quarterback in 2025, especially near the end-zone.
“Trent became really effective for us in the red zone,” offensive coordinator Tim Beck said on Monday. “He’s got good speed, and he and Diego have a good connection.”
Beck, who coached Hudson and Pavia in 2023, went on to speak more about Hudson and his ability to bring another element to Vanderbilt’s vertical passing game in 2025.
“We didn’t throw the ball vertical that much last year,” Beck said. “But I think we’ve got some guys now that are a little bit more vertical threats.”
Washburn transfer Tre Richardson brings another element to the offense as a projected starter. Richardson is quick and shifty and, like Sherrill, has had a strong fall camp. Other players who flashed at Wednesday’s practice were captain Richie Hoskins, sophomore Tristen Brown and true freshman Kayleb Barnett, whose speed stood out compared to anyone else on the field.
