Vanderbilt is rolling with senior Blaze Berlowitz as their starting quarterback for the season opener against Austin Peay. That’s the word from ESPN, and it means five-star freshman Jared Curtis, the program’s most highly touted recruit ever, won’t be under center to kick things off. But don’t you dare think this means Curtis is being forgotten. Coach Clark Lea is already planning to work the prized freshman into the offense early, and everyone’s eyes are on a specific mid-October date for him to potentially take over for good.
A Star Waits, But Not For Long?
So, Berlowitz gets the nod for Week 1. This senior has zero career starts heading into the season, though he did see action in six games last year as Diego Pavia’s backup. He’s clearly got some experience, and Vanderbilt is tapping into that. But the big story here is Curtis. This kid isn’t just a recruit; he’s the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. His talent is undeniable, and Lea consistently emphasized that the starting job had to be earned, not just handed to him because of his recruiting ranking. The quarterback competition was real in fall camp, with Berlowitz’s experience clashing with Curtis’s raw physical upside. If Vanderbilt follows a logical progression, the Week 7 home game against Arkansas on Oct. 17 stands out as the most natural point for the Nashville native to take over the offense.
Why Patience Is The Play For Vandy
Why wait for October? Look at Vanderbilt’s schedule. They open with three straight home games against Austin Peay, Delaware, and NC State. That’s a decent ramp-up. But then things get brutal. SEC play kicks off with a road trip to Auburn on Sept. 26, followed by a matchup at No. 3 Georgia, and then a home game against No. 9 Ole Miss. You serious? Throwing a true freshman into *that* gauntlet would be a massive ask! Berlowitz, despite his limited starting experience, can handle the early-season workload, allowing Lea to use the first six games to gauge Curtis’s development. He can get his feet wet against Austin Peay and Delaware, with his workload increasing as he gets comfortable. If he handles those opportunities well, he might even make his first start against NC State in Week 3. If not, they can keep bringing him along behind Berlowitz before hitting that brutal SEC stretch.
The first six weeks should give Coach Lea all the info he needs to decide if Curtis is ready to lead the team when they return home to face Arkansas. Get ready, because Oct. 17 could be the day Vanderbilt’s future truly begins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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