Vanderbilt has made its decision at quarterback ahead of the 2026 college football season, naming senior Blaze Berlowitz the starter for the Commodores’ season opener against Austin Peay.
Berlowitz won the competition over highly touted freshman Jared Curtis, giving the experienced quarterback the opportunity to lead Vanderbilt as the program looks to replace former star Diego Pavia.
Blaze Berlowitz Wins Vanderbilt Quarterback Battle
The 21-year-old Berlowitz has been with Vanderbilt for the past two seasons after transferring from New Mexico State following the 2023 season. His experience within offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s system helped him secure the starting role despite Curtis arriving as one of the nation’s premier recruits.
Berlowitz originally followed Pavia, tight end Eli Stowers and coach Jerry Kill from New Mexico State to Vanderbilt. While his opportunities have been limited, he has gained valuable experience in the Commodores’ system.
Last season, Berlowitz appeared in six games and completed 9 of 17 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. He also contributed 81 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 11 attempts.
His most productive passing performance came against Kentucky, when he completed four of five attempts for 55 yards. Against Georgia State, Berlowitz added another dimension with his legs, rushing four times for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Jared Curtis Still Expected to See Action
Although Berlowitz will take the first snap as Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback, Curtis is expected to receive playing time during the opener.
Curtis enters college football with enormous expectations. The Nashville native was ranked among the top overall prospects in the 2026 recruiting class and became the highest-rated recruit in Vanderbilt program history.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback originally committed to Georgia before choosing Vanderbilt in December 2025. His decision to stay home and play for the Commodores created significant excitement around the program.
Curtis dominated during his final high school season, throwing for 2,068 yards and 36 touchdowns while recording only six interceptions. He also rushed for 614 yards and 11 touchdowns on 64 carries.
Despite those impressive numbers, Vanderbilt has opted to ease Curtis into college football rather than immediately hand him the starting job.
Why Vanderbilt Chose Berlowitz
Experience appears to be an important factor in Vanderbilt’s decision.
Berlowitz has spent three seasons working with Beck, including his time at New Mexico State and his two seasons with the Commodores. Although he has attempted only 36 passes during that span, his familiarity with the offensive system gives Vanderbilt a more experienced option to begin the season.
Curtis, meanwhile, is preparing for his first college game and his first experience playing in the SEC.
Beck previously emphasized the importance of allowing Curtis time to learn the offense and adjust to the demands of college football. That learning curve likely contributed to Vanderbilt’s decision to start Berlowitz while gradually introducing its prized freshman to the lineup.
Berlowitz Faces a Major Challenge
The starting quarterback job comes with considerable pressure because Berlowitz is taking over for Pavia, one of the most influential players in recent Vanderbilt history.
Pavia helped transform the Commodores during his two seasons as the starter. Vanderbilt went 17-9 with Pavia at quarterback after posting a 9-27 record during Clark Lea’s first three seasons as head coach.
In 2025, Pavia produced 4,401 yards and 39 touchdowns, finished second in Heisman Trophy voting and helped Vanderbilt reach a school-record 10 victories.
Replacing that production will be difficult, and Berlowitz will be expected to provide stability while Vanderbilt develops Curtis for the future.
Berlowitz’s New Mexico State Background
Before arriving at Vanderbilt, Berlowitz spent time at New Mexico State. His only appearance for the Aggies came in the 2023 Conference USA Championship Game.
In that contest, he completed 10 of 19 passes for 134 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed four times for 36 yards.
His move to Vanderbilt placed him in the same program transition that brought Pavia and other key figures to Nashville. That familiarity with the coaching structure and offensive system has now helped him earn the starting assignment.
Vanderbilt’s 2026 Quarterback Plan
Berlowitz will start against Austin Peay on Sept. 5, giving him the first opportunity to establish himself as Vanderbilt’s new offensive leader.
Curtis is expected to see snaps as well, creating an intriguing quarterback situation for the Commodores. Vanderbilt can give Berlowitz the benefit of experience while allowing its five-star freshman to gain meaningful college reps without immediately carrying the full responsibility of the offense.
The decision also gives Vanderbilt flexibility as the season develops. If Berlowitz performs well, the senior could solidify his position. If Curtis quickly adapts to the SEC level, the coaching staff could eventually face a much bigger decision about the future of the position.
What’s Next for Blaze Berlowitz?
The Austin Peay matchup will mark an important moment in Berlowitz’s Vanderbilt career. After spending much of his time behind Pavia, he finally has the opportunity to lead the Commodores from the opening snap.
Vanderbilt enters the season facing significant expectations and uncertainty following the departure of its star quarterback. Berlowitz’s experience could provide the stability the team needs early in the year, while Curtis represents one of the program’s most exciting long-term prospects.
For now, the job belongs to Blaze Berlowitz. His performance in the season opener could go a long way toward determining whether Vanderbilt has found a reliable successor to Pavia or whether the Commodores will eventually turn to their highly rated freshman quarterback.
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