Veteran Blaze Berlowitz wins Vanderbilt's quarterback battle

The Vanderbilt Commodores have named Blaze Berlowitz their starting quarterback to start the 2026 season, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Berlowitz, a senior, beat out five-star true freshman Jared Curtis for the job.

However, Curtis is still expected to play against Austin Peay in Week 1, according to Thamel. It will be the first career start for Berlowitz, who played in six games last year for the Commodores.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder completed nine of his 17 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. He also ran 11 times for 81 yards and one touchdown, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

Berlowitz started his career with the New Mexico State Aggies, playing in one game in 2023 before following Tim Beck to Vanderbilt that offseason. His only action came in the Conference USA Championship Game, with him completing 10 of his 19 passes for 134 yards with a touchdown in the loss.

Curtis is the top recruit in program history, with Vanderbilt flipping him from the Georgia Bulldogs on National Signing Day in December. The Nashville native was ranked as the No. 4 overall player and No. 2 quarterback in the 247Sports composite in the 2026 recruiting class.

Vanderbilt will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Austin Peay, with the game set to start at 6 p.m. CT and streamed on SEC Network+. They will play Delaware in Week 2 before hosting the NC State Wolfpack in Week 3, their first game against a power conference opponent.

Sources: Vanderbilt senior Blaze Berlowitz will be the starting quarterback to open the season for the Commodores. He’ll make his first career start against Austin Peay on Sept. 5. Five-star true freshman Jared Curtis will also play in that game, marking his first career snaps. pic.twitter.com/IflEFhbFlV

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Veteran Blaze Berlowitz wins Vanderbilt's quarterback battle