Vanderbilt Commodores took to the field on Friday for a light practice that served as a prelude to Saturday’s much‑anticipated scrimmage, giving coaches a chance to fine‑tune key position groups despite the absence of full‑contact work.
Quarterback Jared Curtis emerged as the focal point of the session, displaying a more assertive approach at the helm of the offense. His decision‑making appeared sharper, and he consistently delivered passes into tighter windows, a marked shift from the more conservative style he exhibited earlier.
In contrast, Blaze Berlowitz, who had been working with the first‑team unit, continued to show solid ball security but struggled to find accuracy on deeper throws, a detail that coaches noted as they evaluated the competition for the starting role.
Defensively, the secondary made noticeable strides. Defensive back Jaylin Lackey handled a greater volume of targets and came up with several key plays, while Bishop Starling, despite being a frequent target, contributed crucial interceptions and benefited from the guidance of defensive coordinator Steve Gregory, whose confidence in the unit seemed to translate into more aggressive play.
Other defenders also caught the eye. Aaron Bryant hinted at a potential increase in disruption statistics for the upcoming season, while Clinton Azubuike’s steady presence in practice suggested he would be a reliable contributor in 2026. At the offensive skill positions, Kevo Wesley is slated to reclaim his starting spot at guard after a brief hiatus, bringing a renewed sense of stability to the line.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With the Commodores’ dynamic offense taking shape and several defensive pieces showing growth, the program’s outlook for the 2026 campaign appears cautiously optimistic. If the current trajectory holds, the team could see a tangible lift in both scoring efficiency and turnover creation when the season finally arrives.