Vanderbilt Football’s 2026 Recruiting Blitz: Which Newcomers Could Flip the Team’s Future?

The Vanderbilt Commodores wasted no time locking down talent for their 2026 football season, sealing the deal on 20 early signees who bring a mix of grit and promise to Nashville. But that’s not all — they’ve also snagged 17 additional players through the transfer portal, injecting fresh energy and experience into the squad. This latest influx positions Vanderbilt to reshape its roster with versatile athletes ready to make an impact from day one. Dive into the full rundown of newcomers, including high-caliber recruits and savvy transfers, all set to bolster Vanderbilt’s pursuit of gridiron glory. LEARN MORE

Vanderbilt football already took care of it’s recruiting work.

The Commodores added 20 signees during the early signing period.

Vanderbilt also picked up 17 players out of the transfer portal.

Here is a look at all players that are part of the 2026 class as well as the transfer portal additions.

Vanderbilt football 2026 signing day list

Antione Baker

Position: Cornerback

High school: Austin LBJ (Austin, Texas)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Baker, who is also a basketball and track and field star, originally committed to Old Dominion. He also played wide receiver and received scholarship offers from USC, Colorado, and Texas State.

Bradley Brown

Position: Safety

High school: Plano (Plano, Texas)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Brown was ranked the No. 81 safety in Texas by 247Sports Composite and the No. 131 player in the state. He chose Vanderbilt after originally committing to TCU and also had offers from Missouri, Michigan State, and others.

Jared Curtis

Position: Quarterback

High school: Nashville Christian School

247Sports Composite: 5 stars

What to know: Curtis has a big arm with accuracy and touch. He threw for 9,738 yards in his high school career and 128 touchdowns. He had more than 2,000 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns in his career.

Owen Cabell

Position: Wide receiver

High school: Christ Presbyterian Academy

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Cabell originally committed to Alabama before flipping on the first day of the early signing period. At 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds, Cabell will help fill Vanderbilt’s need for a standout wide receiver.

Daryl Campbell

Position: Defensive lineman

High school: Paetow (Katy, Texas)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: The 300-pound lineman recorded 78 career tackles, including 14 for loss and seven quarterback hurries.

Collin Flanigan

Position: Cornerback

High school: Oxford (Oxford, Mississippi)

247Sports Composite: 4 stars

What to know: The No. 15 prospect in Mississippi had 75 tackles and also had four interceptions as a senior. He also had four passes defended and two fumble recoveries.

Jeremy Garner II

Position: Cornerback

High school: Iowa Colony (Rosharon, Texas)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Garner is a versatile player who had more than 500 all-purpose yards as a return specialist and wide receiver as a senior. He ran track and posted a 10.9 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 27.9 in the 200-meter dash. He high jumped 6-feet-2.

Adam Gehm

Position: Tight end

High school: Seneca Valley (Harmony, Pennsylvania)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: At 6-6, Gehm also plays basketball. He chose Vanderbilt over Indiana, Tennessee, Penn State, Tulane, Wisconsin, and others.

Evan Hampton

Position: Running back

High school: Owensboro (Owensboro, Kentucky)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Hampton was the 2025 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year, who rushed for 4,885 yards in his career. He had 1,927 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior and helped Owensboro advance to the 5A championship game.

George Williams-Haseotes

Position: Offensive lineman

High school: Community School of Naples (Naples, Florida)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: At 6-3, 280 pounds, Williams-Haseotes played on the offensive and defensive lines in high school. He was also recruited by Notre Dame, Florida, Texas A&M, Georgia, Auburn, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and others.

Izayah Lee

Position: Running back

High school: Lancaster (Lancaster, Texas)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Lee, a speedster who has been clocked at 11.1 seconds in the 100, rushed for a total of 1,752 yards and 33 touchdowns over his last two seasons.

Mason Lewis

Position: Safety

High school: Basha (Queen Creek, Arizona)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Lewis played on both sides of the ball in high school and also participated in track and field. He originally committed to Cal before choosing Vanderbilt.

Jace McCallum

Position: Defensive end

High school: Mooresville (Concord, North Carolina)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: McCallum burst onto the scene as a junior when he recorded 104 tackles, including 18 for loss, and 12 sacks. McCallum was also recruited by Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, and Virginia Tech.

Pulelei’ite Primus

Position: Offensive lineman

High school: Midland (Midland, Texas)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: The 6-4, 345-pounder had 18 power-four offers before narrowing down his list to Vanderbilt, Houston, and Washington.

Tilden Riley

Position: Tight end

High school: Orangeburg Preparatory (Orangeburg, South Carolina)

247Sports Composite: 4 stars

What to know: At 6-5, Riley was the No. 11 player in South Carolina, according to 247Sports Composite. He chose Vanderbilt over South Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Tripp Skewes

Position: Offensive line

High school: Kent Denver (Denver, Colorado)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: At 6-7, 300 pounds, Skewes is ranked among the top 15 players in Colorado by 247Sports Composite. He played on both sides of the ball throughout his prep career. Skewes also had scholarship offers from Texas Tech, Utah, Arizona, North Carolina, Colorado and Kansas State.

Kahden Smith

Position: Wide receiver

High school: Hillcrest (Mondville, Alabama)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Smith had 30 catches for 704 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. His best two games came against Prattville, when he had eight catches for 152 yards, and Hoover, when he had seven catches for 148 yards.

Michael Smith

Position: Offensive line

High school: Picayune Memorial (Picayune, Mississippi)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Michael Smith is a 6-6, 300-pound transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he played offensive tackle. Smith started in all 10 games in 2025. The Bulldogs were a combined 17-4 in Smith’s two seasons.

Mitchell Smith

Position: Offensive line

High school: Picayune Memorial (Picayune, Mississippi)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Rated among the top 25 players in Mississippi by 247Sports Composite, Michell Smith was the Class 6A Mr. Football.

Chris Tangelo

Position: Safety

High school: The Bullis School (Potomac, Maryland)

247Sports Composite: 4 stars

What to know: Tangelo is a speedster and also a track-and-field standout. He has run 23.10 in the 200. He also played wide receiver on offense. Tangelo finished the 2025 season with four interceptions on defense and 28 catches on offense for 617 yards.

Daniel Vollmer Jr.

Position: Linebacker

High school: St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio)

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Vollmer is a versatile player who lined up on both sides of the ball and played several positions throughout his high school career.

Vanderbilt football portal signings

Cole Adams

Position: Wide receiver

Previous school: Alabama

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: At 5-10, Adams is expected to step in as a slot receiver for Vanderbilt. At Alabama in 2025, he had five receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. He also served as the Crimson Tide’s top punt returner (20 returns, 171 yards).

Brian Allen

Position: Defensive end

Previous school: Iowa

247Sports Composite: 4 stars

What to know: Allen played against Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. He had two tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. In total, the 6-3, 264-pounder recorded 16 tackles in 2025 with one fumble recovery and a pass breakup.

Talan Carter

Position: Defensive lineman

Previous school: Jacksonville State

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: In two seasons at Jacksonville State, Carter played in 23 games, totaling 57 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He earned second-team All-Conference USA honors.

Jayvontay Conner

Position: Tight end

Previous school: East Carolina

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: In his redshirt sophomore season (2025), Carter had 23 catches for 333 yards and three touchdowns. In 2024, he played in nine games and had two catches against Florida Atlantic.

Lyndon Cooper

Position: Offensive line

Previous school: Pitt

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Cooper was the starting center and a team captain in his two seasons at Pitt. He began his career at North Carolina State and played there from 2021-2023 before transferring to Pitt.

Micah DeBose

Position: Offensive line

Previous school: Alabama

247Sports Composite: 4 stars

What to know: DeBose, who is 6-5 and 319 pounds, appeared in one game at Alabama in his redshirt season in 2025. He has four years of eligibility remaining.

Michael Diatta

Position: Defensive lineman

Previous school: Oklahoma State

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Diatta is from Cane Ride High School, where he played defensive end and offensive tackle. At 6-5, 295 pounds, Diatta played at Virginia before transferring to Oklahoma State in 2025. He also considered transferring to Arkansas in 2026.

Tyler Ebel

Position: Punter

Previous school: South Dakota

247Sports Composite: N/A

What to know: Ebel punted a total of 143 times in his career at South Dakota for an average of 43.3 yards. He landed 59 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

CJ Jackson

Position: Defensive lineman

Previous school: LSU

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Jackson is a 6-4, 250-pound redshirt sophomore and edge rusher. He appeared in one game for LSU in 2024 and five in 2025, recording three tackles and two for loss.

Beau Johnson

Position: Offensive lineman

Previous school: North Dakota State

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Johnson appeared in 13 games in 2025 for the Bison. He made the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first team and will be a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining.

Ricardo Jones

Position: Safety

Previous school: Clemson

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Jones was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2025. He recorded 39 tackles, one for loss and six interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown.

Edwin Kolenge

Position: Defensive end

Previous school: Boston College

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Kolenge is an edge rusher who played regularly in his four seasons at Boston College. In 2025, he played in all 12 games, started in 10, made 31 total tackles, one for loss, and had a sack.

Kaden Schickel

Position: Long snapper

Previous school: Michigan State

247Sports Composite: N/A

What to know: Schickel started his career as a specialist at James Madison. He has played in a total of 11 games over his career and registered four tackles.

Cobey Sellers

Position: Cornerback

Previous school: Texas A&M

247Sports Composite: 4 stars

What to know: Sellers played in one game in 2025. He signed with Texas AM after also narrowing his choices to Kentucky, Arkansas, SMU, and Cal.

Walter Taylor III

Position: Tight end

Previous school: Ball State

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Taylor started his career as a quarterback at Vanderbilt before transferring to Colorado in 2024. He then transferred to Ball State in 2025, but did not see action at either school.

Ja’Cory Thomas

Position: Wide receiver

Previous school: Old Dominion

247Sports Composite: 3 stars

What to know: Thomas played in 12 games, making 11 starts at Old Dominion in 2025. He was second on the team with 41 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns.

Maurice Veney

Position: Tight endPrevious school: Morehouse247Sports Composite: 3 starsWhat to know: Veney, a 6-4, 270-pound tight end, had 32 catches for 381 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2025 at Division II Morehouse. He was a First Team All-SIAC honoree.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football: 2026 signing class and transfer portal additions