Which QB transfer will start for Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Commodores lost three quarterbacks to the transfer portal after the 2023 season ended. Clark Lea and his staff quickly responded by picking up three new quarterbacks through the portal.

The Commodores lost senior Ken Seals to TCU, sophomore AJ Swann to LSU, and freshman Walter Taylor to Colorado. All three quarterbacks saw playing time in conference games last season.

After losing three quarterbacks, Vanderbilt was left with just one on the roster. In December, redshirt freshman Nate Johnson committed to the Commodores after transferring from Utah. Shortly after, true freshman Blaze Berlowitz committed after transferring from New Mexico State. That was not the only quarterback to transfer to Nashville from New Mexico State as junior Diego Pavia also committed.

The Commodores did not Play a Spring Game this Year, so the Battle for the Starting Job will Continue into the Summer.

On paper, Diego Pavia should be the starting quarterback after being a starter at New Mexico State for two years. In 2023, Pavia was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year.

In that award winning season, Pavia picked up 2,973 yards in the air with a completion percentage of 60% and threw for 26 touchdowns. He also threw nine interceptions.

Pavia makes plays with his legs as he is the definition of a mobile quarterback. Not only does he extend plays by running, he runs the ball down the field. On 176 carries, Pavia ran for 925 yards and scored seven times.

He led the Aggies to a 10-5 record with a win against Auburn. He took them to the Conference USA Championship, but lost to Liberty.

Berlowitz backed up Pavia in 2023 for New Mexico State. In one game played, Berlowitz threw for 134 yards with a completion percentage of 53% and threw a touchdown as well as an interception.

Berlowitz will more than likely be a backup to one of Pavia and Johnson. Last season at Utah, Johnson saw some playing time, but remained a backup to Bryson Barnes.

In eight games played, Johnson picked up 499 yards in the air with a completion percentage of 54% and threw for three touchdowns. No interceptions for Johnson which is very impressive.

He is another mobile quarterback as he made a lot of plays with his legs. On 59 carries, Johnson ran for 235 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns.

All Three quarterbacks that Vanderbilt has picked up has seen playing time throughout their careers. Diego Pavia is the leading candidate to start as he has the most experience.

Keep an eye out for the Commodores this season as their QB play will look different this season. The last time they had a mobile quarterback was Mike Wright in 2022 and they were able to defeat Kentucky and Florida.