Clark Lea provides update on where Vanderbilt's quarterback competition stands

Vanderbilt gave every guy in the quarterback an opportunity to win the starting role. Head coach Clark Lea seems to be down to two guys, though. Both are transfers, with former New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia and Nate Johnson, formerly of Utah, having the best chance of starting Aug. 31 against Virginia Tech.

Lea gave an official update on where the quarterback competition stands, saying a scrimmage this upcoming weekend will be a big indicator. While Vanderbilt does not plan to make an official announcement anytime soon, Lea and his coaching staff are having discussions based on practices.

“We’re going to push through this next scrimmage and evaluate,” Lea said. “They’re still sharing reps and we’re giving everybody a chance to go at it. But we’re having conversations around it off the field. I think we’ll have a little more clarity coming out of this scrimmage. It’s still something we wait until we play until we announce. It’s developing and developing at the rate I expected it to.”

There was a caution from Lea about one guy ultimately being the starter for the entire 2024 season. In his three seasons in Nashville, never has the Day One starter made it through all 12 games. Injuries have occurred and backups have had to play — a significant amount of snaps too.

So, Lea’s message is the competition needs to continue, even when a starter is announced. Vanderbilt wants to be ready for multiple guys to play because history says they will. Obviously, the goal is to avoid injury but you have to be prepared.

“We haven’t had one quarterback make it through the year since I’ve been here,” Lea said. “Hopefully, we’re doing a better job up front and we’re doing things that can allow for that. But it’s not just going to be about one person. We have a bunch in that room… It’s not just fighting for that starting spot, it’s about starting for one, two, and three. We believe that all three quarterbacks are going to factor in at some point this year.”

After the Virginia Tech game, Vanderbilt will face Alcorn State and Georgia State, two games they are hoping to win. From there, it’s tough sledding in the SEC. Alabama and Missouri — two preseason top-15 teams — are the first two games in conference play. Three others ranked inside the top 15 also fall on the schedule.

Lea wants to make sure his quarterback room is ready for whatever is thrown at them.