Anonymous SEC coach reveals biggest weakness for Vanderbilt entering 2025

The Vanderbilt Commodores took a major step forward under head coach Clark Lea in 2024. Now, they’re hoping to find a way to build on that next season.

Vanderbilt often goes into SEC play with some disadvantages. One SEC coach who spoke to Athlon anonymously shared that their biggest weakness comes along the line of scrimmage. It’s those issues that could potentially cost the Commodores in 2025.

“They’re still lacking depth on both lines of scrimmage,” the SEC coach said. “That’s probably the biggest weakness right now.”

Vanderbilt was able to go 7-6 in 2024, including an upset over Alabama. That got them to their first bowl since 2018 and is something to build on. Still, another SEC coach added that Vanderbilt won’t catch teams by surprise this upcoming season. That’s going to make it even harder to win games in the SEC.

If the Commodores got a massive boost this offseason anywhere, it was the return of quarterback Diego Pavia. He got a waiver to play another season and returned to Vanderbilt. That’s after he completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 801 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He has, as one SEC coach shared, the ability to uplift the Commodores on offense.

“[Diego] Pavia is an ‘it factor’ guy. He’s not the most talented, but he’s the definition of the college football playmaker. He’s never out of it until the play is over,” an SEC coach said. “And the entire offense improves when he’s clicking. I think you’ll see more advanced concepts from them this season to mix up their standard option play.”

Along with Pavia’s return, Vanderbilt has been active in the Transfer Portal to reinforce the roster. The Commodores have the 28th-ranked transfer class in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings. That includes 20 new players who are going to be entering the program. Another SEC coach took note of that too, and praised the Commodores for how they’ve used their money.

“This is why you invest in NIL over facilities,” the coach said. “This is why you have to be serious about personnel. Vanderbilt’s coaches didn’t suddenly learn how to coach. Clark [Lea] is a fantastic, sharp defensive mind, and now he’s got a roster capable of winning games in the league.”

Vanderbilt kicks off their 2025 season on August 30th against Charleston Southern. SEC play will begin a little later, on September 13th, when the Commodores go on the road to take on South Carolina.