How Vanderbilt football, Jared Curtis could face former QB AJ Swann vs Mississippi State
Story by
How Vanderbilt football, Jared Curtis could face former QB AJ Swann vs Mississippi State
Aria Gerson, Nashville Tennessean·The Tennessean
·
3 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Vanderbilt footballcould face one of its own former players when it takes on Mississippi State this weekend.
TheCommodores(3-5, 0-5 SEC) will face Mississippi State (4-4, 2-4) at Davis-Wade Stadium on Nov. 7 (3:15 p.m. CT, SEC Network). One of the Bulldogs' quarterbacks is AJ Swann, who was once seen as Vanderbilt's quarterback of the future. Now, the Commodores will be starting 5-star freshman Jared Curtis instead. Swann's status is in question this week due to injury.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"I hope AJ is healthy,"Clark Leasaid. "He's someone that I built a relationship with in recruiting. He played for us here, and we had all the vision for a great career here. And just, the road doesn't always go the way you think it will. And I'm encouraged to see him finding some snap experience at Mississippi State. And I was really impressed with how he looked in the game that he was able to play on Saturday, and so I'm pulling for AJ. Obviously, I won't be pulling for him on Saturday, but any time you get into the competitive moments, it's never personal any longer. It's about being the best we can to beat Mississippi State."
Sep 5, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against the Austin Peay Governors during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) is brought down by Austin Peay defensive back Markell Redding (3) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs against Austin Peay defensive back Markell Redding (3) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs into Austin Peay defensive back Justin Wimpye (5) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs through Austin Peay defensive back Justin Wimpye (5) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws a completion while being taken down by Austin Peay linebacker Jefferson Bretanys-Desca (14) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against Austin Peay during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterbacks Blaze Berlowitz (1) and Jared Curtis (2) go through drills during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) directs his receivers while pressured by Vanderbilt linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws in practice at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN, DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2), left, and offensive coordinator Tim Beck and the other quarterbacks gather after Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws while pressured by Vanderbilt defensive tackle Mike Diatta (15) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) pitches to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis watches football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Sep 5, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against the Austin Peay Governors during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Sep 5, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against the Austin Peay Governors during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) is brought down by Austin Peay defensive back Markell Redding (3) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
3/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs against Austin Peay defensive back Markell Redding (3) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
4/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs into Austin Peay defensive back Justin Wimpye (5) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
5/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) runs through Austin Peay defensive back Justin Wimpye (5) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
6/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws a completion while being taken down by Austin Peay linebacker Jefferson Bretanys-Desca (14) during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
7/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) scrambles against Austin Peay during their game at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
8/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
9/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterbacks Blaze Berlowitz (1) and Jared Curtis (2) go through drills during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
10/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
11/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
12/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
13/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) directs his receivers while pressured by Vanderbilt linebacker Nick Rinaldi (24) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
14/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws in practice at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN, DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
15/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2), left, and offensive coordinator Tim Beck and the other quarterbacks gather after Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
16/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws while pressured by Vanderbilt defensive tackle Mike Diatta (15) during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
17/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
18/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
19/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
20/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws during Vanderbilt Football's Black and Gold Spring Game in FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, April 18, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
21/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) pitches to running back Gabe Fields (24) during drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
22/22
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football QB, one of nation's top 2026 recruits
Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis watches football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Swann spent two seasons at Vanderbilt. As a freshman in 2022, he went 115-for-198 for 1,274 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. In 2023, he appeared in six games and went 107-for-196 for 1,457 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He lost the starting job after throwing three interceptions and suffering an injury in a September matchup with Kentucky that season, then returned to start against Tennessee to end the season.
Swann then transferred to LSU, where he appeared in two games, then spent one season at Appalachian State where he threw for 1,495 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven games in 2025. He had been one of the backups to Kamario Taylor at Mississippi State but started a game against Texas after Taylor went down for the season with turf toe. He left that game with an injury.
"The hope obviously is that AJ has the ability to get back healthy and feel good enough to go play winning football for us," Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebbytold reportersNov. 2. "It's my job to make sure we're doing everything we possibly can to put our guys in position to go win."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
After Swann and Vanderbilt parted ways, the Commodores landed Diego Pavia, who was the 2025 Heisman runner-up, then got Curtis, who became the first Vanderbilt quarterback to start a game as a true freshman since Swann.
Curtis this season is 128-for-197 for 1,489 yards. He's thrown eight touchdowns but also an SEC-leading eight interceptions.
"I think the call sheet still needs to contract," Lea said. " ... Less is more, and this has got to be sound, solid and simple. And so what that trimmed down call sheet should eliminate are things that either Jared's not comfortable with or things that don't match his strengths.
" ... With every week that Jared works, he's getting better and there's improvement."
