Why Vanderbilt football brought back former QB Walter Taylor as tight end

Vanderbilt football wasn't sure if it needed another tight end during the end of the winter transfer portal window. When the coaching staff made the decision to move Brycen Coleman to wide receiver, the need became apparent.

The Commodores went for a unique player they felt was a low risk/high reward pickup: former quarterback Walter Taylor .

Taylor played at Vanderbilt in 2022 and 2023, where he stood out for his 6-foot-7 frame and big left-handed arm strength. But he never panned out as a quarterback with the Commodores, nor at Colorado or Ball State.

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

Vanderbilt defensive tackle Glenn Seabrooks III (53) goes through drills at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

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Vanderbilt football offense and defense back to the practice gridiron

Since Taylor originally left Vanderbilt, most of the staff has changed over. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck checked with Taylor and he was open to a change.

"We had people here before I got here that knew Walt when he played, and I remember going back and watching Walt play against Mississippi State on video, and he did some really, really good things," Beck said. "We just felt like he was somebody that could maybe make that transition."

Eli Stowers was a notable quarterback-to-tight end conversion success story. He went from injured quarterback at Texas A&M to tight end at New Mexico State under Beck to All-American at Vanderbilt. The success of Stowers has the staff hoping it could be repeatable with a player like Taylor.

The fact that Taylor was previously at Vanderbilt adds another dimension. There are a few players on the team who were there when Taylor last was in 2023 and knew him then. Fullback Gabe Fisher said that he and Taylor were "big buddies" back then.

Tight ends coach Brendan Flaherty was also there, having been on staff at Vanderbilt since 2021, albeit serving in an analyst role at that time.

"This is brand new for Walt," Flaherty said. "Walt had never been in a receiver stance, in a three-point stance. He'd never been asked to block. He'd never run a route. At least Eli had, so I think Eli came in further ahead. But Walt's doing a really nice job. Physically, he's over 250 pounds, and we're going to be asking him to do some stuff that we didn't really put on Eli's plate."

It's too early to tell if Taylor will play a significant role in the Commodores' 2026 offense. They also return Cole Spence at the position and brought in two other transfers in Maurice Veney and Jayvontay Conner. Vanderbilt has lots of unique ways to use tight ends, so if Taylor takes to the position, he could find a role.

"He's doing really well now," Fisher said. "At first, he had to tone down some things, but he's coming in stride. Today, he had a great block, and I don't think any quarterback can do it that fast."

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson .

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football sees Walter Taylor return as tight end