Vanderbilt football is stepping into a fresh chapter under head coach Clark Lea, building on the momentum of a 10‑3 campaign that left the Commodores among the nation’s most seasoned squads.
Although the team will miss star quarterback Diego Pavia and standout tight end Eli Stowers, Lea emphasizes that the roster’s depth at every position gives the Commodores a solid foundation for the upcoming season.
Analysts place Vanderbilt’s offense at 34th in experience nationally and rank the defense fourth, while the squad holds the second spot in overall game experience and twelfth in returning starts, underscoring the wealth of talent that returns to the field.
Miles Capers ready to anchor the defense
Among the returning leaders, senior pass rusher Miles Capers stands out as the only player who has been with Lea for all three of his seasons in Nashville. In 2026 he logged 4.5 sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and defended a pass, and his 2024 campaign added three forced fumbles and an interception.
Coaches and teammates alike view Capers as the closest thing the Commodores have had in recent years to a game‑wrecking edge rusher. If he stays healthy, his ability to pressure quarterbacks and create turnovers could be the catalyst that lifts the entire defense.
Lea’s confidence is not just about individual stars; he stresses that the collective experience and the chemistry built over multiple recruiting cycles give Vanderbilt a realistic shot at contending in the SEC.