Vanderbilt Football 2026 Position Preview: Safeties
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Vanderbilt’s safety room took a big hit when Randon Fontenette decided to transfer. Reportedly, the main reason was a planned schematic/philosophical shift that would require Fontenette to play more like a true safety instead of the hybrid LB/S “Star” position he had played the previous two seasons. Based on there not being any of the hybrid positions listed on the 2026 roster, that reporting seemed plausible. Then the depth chart released today had the Razor and Star listed. It is possible those positions are more “package” uses than every down positions. It is also possible that Head Coach Clark Lea is carrying over the “tactic” from last year where the depth chart was typically more reflective of the previous game than the next one (with an exception for injuries), so they are using the same designations as last season for one more game then will shuffle positions for Delaware. Whatever the case, Fontenette was one of the most impactful players on Vanderbilt’s defense the previous 2 seasons.
Captain Marlen Sewell also ran out of eligibility, so that makes for 2 starters to replace. It remains to be seen what Vanderbilt’s base defense looks like in 2026, though the idea of “base” defense is almost extinct in modern college football. Teams may have base coverages and schemes they go to when opponents use up-tempo offense, but personnel is often heavily dependent on matching up with the opposition.
Seasnake and Ball Hawk
CJ Heard transferred in from Florida Atlantic after earning 3rd Team All-AAC honors as a freshman. He immediately led the team in tackles at 71 with 46 of those stops being solo efforts. He also had 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 PBUs, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Heard was all over the field and should be even better in year 2 of Clark Lea’s defense called by Steve Gregory. Heard could slither his way into All-SEC conversations by seasons end.
He will be joined by another transfer in Ricardo Jones. Jones was, by timing, an immediate replacement for Fontenette. The former Clemson Tiger played in 24 games over his first two seasons for Dabo Swinney’s program. He was 2nd Team All-ACC in 2025 by the AP and 3rd Team All-ACC according to the ACC Coaches and Phil Steele. He is an elite coverage option on the backend with 6 interceptions and 5 PBUs in 2025. The interception total was tied for most in the ACC. He is a perfect complement to the more run-focused Heard.
Next Wave
Carson Lawrence is listed with an OR designation as the starting Star. Freshman Mason Lewis is the surprising other option. Lawrence played in all 13 games as a freshman and had 9 tackles with only 1 of them assisted. He also broke up one pass attempt. It was limited work, but as the 30th safety in the country according to 247Sports’s Composite, Lawrence has high expectations. He has put 18 pounds, up from 194 pounds as a recruit, on his 6’2” frame to be more ready for SEC football. His extra length could come in handy for Vanderbilt trying to cover bigger options in the slot or at TE.
Mason Lewis was well thought of as a recruit at 57th in the Composite rankings. I do not think anyone, myself included, would have expected him to be a potential starter for game 1, even if that game is against Austin Peay where backups will play a lot of snaps. Lawrence had plenty of hype going into last season, so Lewis battling with him is only a good sign to me. More effective depth is always good, especially if it comes in the way of a freshman.
Listed as the backup to Ricardo Jones, Dontae Carter is an eager tackler. He has played in every game since getting on campus, but he has been behind Sewell. Interestingly, he has gone from backing up the weaker coverage safety to backing up the ball hawk. Maybe the defensive scheme is morphing to more single high looks where Jones/Carter play more center field while the Star and other safety play down closer to the line of scrimmage. Either way, Carter has 44 tackles (26 solo) and 3 PBUs. Like so many depth pieces stepping into a bigger role, it is about showing off development.
Jalen Gilbert stays behind Heard on the depth charts from last season but moves up a spot due to Carson Lawrence moving to Star. The senior has played in all 26 games the last two seasons like Carter. He has only made 4 tackles, all solo, and broken up 2 passes.
Jailen (yes, there are four Jalen/Jailen/Jaylins in the secondary) Ruth bumps back to third on the depth chart at Star. He was Fontenette’s listed primary backup in 2025, but he only registered 2 tackles and a fumble recovery while playing in all 13 games. He is a viable depth piece, but we probably are not getting more than that out of Ruth.
Vanzale Hinton tore his ACL six games into 2025, so it is a minor miracle he is even listed on the depth chart. I am not sure what his practice availability has been like, but he had 3 solo tackles and a PBU prior to the injury. He is behind Gilbert and Heard, so he should be able to ease back into things as much as necessary.
The last safety listed on the depth chart is one I had marked down as likely only getting really snaps on special teams duty. Davin Chandler was the 59th ranked safety in the 2025 class according to 247Sports’s Composite while internally they had him at 43rd. He only played in the Georgia State beatdown in 2025, so I really have nothing to add.
The Non-Starter Freshman
Bradley Brown Composites out as the 50th best safety recruit in the 2026 class. That is with 247 having him all the way down at 91. The disparity in ranking amongst sites is one of the funniest things about recruiting as different teams and fan bases mix and match them to make their class look the best. Whatever the potential is for Brown, Vanderbilt does have plenty of options ahead of him to not force him into playing early, so it will be particularly encouraging if he joins his classmate Lewis on the depth chart without being injury induced. He likely needs to keep adding muscle to his 175-pound playing weight as a senior. Brown is supposedly up to 185 already.
Special Teamers
Thomas Jones and Payne Daniel are presumed walk-ons who were not ranked as recruits and have 4 combined games played in 5 combined years on campus. Root for them if they get on the field.
Final Verdict
The starting duo of Jones and Heard can compete with anyone. They are both heavily slanted to either pass/rush defense, but neither is a liability in the other. Being decent at one and great at the other is a great way to pair your safeties. Lawrence at Star provides another good coverage player who can stick his head in on the running game, too. The depth options provide a lot of experience with a few younger players sprinkled in, so there is good balance there, too.
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