Texas Longhorns vs. Vanderbilt Preview: Commodores Offensive Players to Watch

The Vanderbilt offense has a lot to work on past its 2023 performance, but Clark Lea has made some moves.

Sep 30, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores offensive lineman Kevo Wesley (52) celebrates the touchdown of wide receiver Will Sheppard (14) during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports / Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

The Vanderbilt Commodores got hit by a storm when all three of its quarterbacks transferred over the offseason. Starter AJ Swann made the move to another SEC school and will now be playing in Baton Rouge for the LSU Tigers, while Ken Seals transferred to TCU and Walter Taylor III to Colorado.

Nonetheless, head coach Clark Lea made moves in the offseason, bringing in former New Mexico State head coach Jerry Kill as the offensive coordinator as well as Kill's starting quarterback Diego Pavia.

Here are three players to watch in this Commodore offense that will try to fight a strong solid Texas defense in late October.

1. QB Diego Pavia

Graduate quarterback Diego Pavia made headlines when he led his previous team New Mexico State to a win against Auburn, achieving an SEC win in the season before his current team.

Pavia spent two years at New Mexico State after two years at the New Mexico Military Institute. In 2023, he started all games for the Aggies and led the team to its second 10-win season in program history and first since 1960.

Now, as the Vanderbilt quarterback, Pavia is back in the headlines after bringing the Commodores to a ranked position for the first time since late 2013. Pavia has accounted for 14 touchdowns so far this season, 11 passing and three rushing.

“He’s tough," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said about Pavia. "He finds a way to make plays, whether it’s with his legs, with his arm, with his legs and his arm. You know, he runs tough, he runs hard, he makes the throws when he needs to make them. And I think that he's infused that grit into their program."

2. RB Sedrick Alexander

Austin native Sedrick Alexander has been a key returner for the Commodores this season. As a freshman in 2023, Alexander earned his way into the SEC All-Freshman team, leading the conference rookies in rushing yards with 371 and becoming the only freshman in the league to score four or more rushing touchdowns.

Halfway through his sophomore season, Alexander has already beaten his personal best. The running back will go into the Texas matchup with five rushing touchdowns to his name, leading the team.

3. TE Eli Stowers

Graduate tight-end Eli Stowers is another transfer from New Mexico State who came alongside Jerry Kill.

Stowers has been making history with the Commodores since he made the move to Nashville. In the upset against No. 1 Alabama, Stowers grabbed six catches for a career-best 113 yards. Stowers leads Vanderbilt in receiving yards and touchdowns with 33 receptions for 463 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Stowers made the PFF and the SEC Team of the Week following Vanderbilt's win against Georgia State.