Well, that didn’t take long.
Vanderbilt has named true freshman Jared Curtis its starting quarterback for Week 3 against NC State, head coach Clark Lea announced on Tuesday. The former five-star recruit played the majority of Saturday’s win over Delaware.
Fourth-year quarterback Blaze Berlowitz beat out Curtis in the preseason, but has struggled in the Commodores’ opening games of the 2026 season. Berlowitz has thrown for 178 yards, completing 14 of 25 passes through two weeks and a rushing touchdown. Curtis is 21 of 31 for 270 yards and a touchdown, along with two rushing touchdowns.
Vanderbilt beat Austin Peay 28-9 in Week 1 and survived Delaware 35-26 in Week 2. Berlowitz started against the Blue Hens, but it was Curtis who led the Commodores to the win.
He rushed for two touchdowns and threw his first career passing touchdown. He’s the first Vanderbilt freshman to record three touchdowns since Sept. 17, 2022. Curtis finished 14 of 22 for 210 yards and a touchdown.
Can’t say I’m surprised. This felt like it was predestined, but Jared will have to eat the frog in two weeks when Vanderbilt comes to town to face the Bulldogs on Homecoming weekend. Between what should be a “first big game” against Oklahoma on the 26th and the Alabama game on October 10th, I wonder if this wont’ find itself as a trap game for us with a motivated Curtis and a Georgia team kicking off it’s toughest stretch of the season.
I trust Kirby will find the proper motivation for his defense for this game. We aren’t *checks notes* Delaware (only in their second year in CUSA after moving up from FCS in 2025), after all.
To me it comes at the right time. If we played Oklahoma, them Alabama, and then Vandy I would think this had trap game potential after back to back big games. As it is I’m sure the idiots on TV will be talking about “upset special”.
Congratulations you do get to start as a true freshman in Athens. Looking forward to watching how it goes down Admiral.
As Erk would say, Fuck him & the mule he rode in on. This includes Lea
Homecoming crowds especially for early kicks are usually sleepy and uninvolved. I’m guessing this decision will have that noon crowd around Arkansas 2021 intensity unless Vandy collapses over the next couple of weeks. Even then, I would think we’ll be RED-y.
Need to greet him with the chant that has gone away. Dawg food Dawg food! Guess it’s not politically correct. Sure did like it though. gators brought back gator bait, so maybe there’s a chance. Go Dawgs!!
Kirby still hasn’t forgotten the covid bullshit either
The QB situation at Vanderbilt is reminiscent of autumn 2006 in Athens. Everyone knew that the Commodores were going to turn it over to the heralded freshman.
If Jared is smart, he’ll call in sick.