5-star freshman Vanderbilt QB Jared Curtis to make first start against NC State

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis is set to make his first start against NC State in Week 3, marking the beginning of his official era with the Commodores. The Nashville native, once the top-ranked high school recruit in the country for 2026, transferred from Georgia to Vanderbilt ahead of the early signing period. Curtis secured the majority of playing time in Vanderbilt's Week 2 victory over Delaware, following Blaze Berlowitz who started the game.

In that match, Curtis went 14-of-22 passing for 210 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for two touchdowns. Earlier, in Week 1 against Austin Peay, Curtis completed 7-of-9 passes for 60 yards. Berlowitz was named the team's starter at the start of the season after a four-way competition that included Curtis. Coach Clark Lea revealed in late August that Berlowitz was selected to start "for our offense to organize in the first game around Blaze taking the first snaps," although Curtis had also earned the right to play.

Berlowitz, who transferred to Vanderbilt from New Mexico State, was just 3-of-9 passing for 29 yards in the match against the Blue Hens and is 14-of-25 passing for 178 yards this season. Vanderbilt will face Auburn in the SEC in Week 4 before traveling to play Georgia in Week 5. Curtis, the highest-ranked high school commitment to ever sign with Vandy, had been verbally committed to the Bulldogs for over six months before deciding to join the Commodores.