Vanderbilt Adds Pair of Power Four Transfers

The Commodores are now up to 11 new players for next season after adding two more highly touted transfer prospects from Power Four programs.

Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A detail view of a Vanderbilt Commodores helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

From the opening day of this year's transfer portal period on January 2 until now, Clark Lea and the Commodores staff have been among the most active units in the nation, adding now eleven new players to the roster for next season with still several days to spare.

On Sunday, January 11, Vanderbilt landed two very impressive transfer prospects, both of whom come from Power Four programs.

The first was interior offensive lineman Micah DeBose, a former 3-Star prospect that spent the past season in Tuscaloosa with the Alabama Crimson Tide. On3's Hayes Fawcett was the first to report the news.

BREAKING: Alabama transfer IOL Micah DeBose has committed to Vanderbilt, @Hayesfawcett3 reports⚓️https://t.co/Fwfk6vkRyK pic.twitter.com/bM3EeDQwXD

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 11, 2026

DeBose, who originally hails from Theodore High School in Mobile, Alabama, was a member of the 2025 recruiting class, and was ranked as the No. 11 player at his position in the nation, and the No. 13 overall prospect in Alabama, according to 247Sports' composite ranking.

He stands 6-foot-5, 315 lbs. and has excellent strength, paired with versatility to play multiple positions along the line if required. Throughout his time at Theodore, DeBose served as both a tackle and guard, showing off his impressive skill set in the run and pass game.

While his strength and size is immediately apparent, DeBose does struggle a bit in terms of his footwork and overall agility. He has a tendency to get off balance in pass sets and can be vulnerable to an effective speed rusher.

While he may still need a bit of refinement, the former 3-Star prospect comes with a very high ceiling and could very well be an extremely impactful member of the Commodores' offensive unit next season.

The next player to announce his commitment to Vanderbilt was now former Iowa Hawkeye Brian Allen, Jr. He took to social media to share the news himself, saying in his post, "Onto the next chapter. [Vanderbilt], let's work."

On to the next chapter 🙏🏾@VandyFootball LETS WORK pic.twitter.com/K61EKoYrqz

— Brian Allen Jr (@BrianAllenJr21_) January 11, 2026

A 6-foot-3, 264 lb. edge defender that spent the last four seasons in Iowa City, Allen, Jr. is another potential game changer for the Commodores next season.

Originally a member of the 2022 recruiting class where he was rated as a 3-Star prospect, the Woodstock, Illinois native compiled 34 tackles, 5.0 TFL's, 3.5 sacks and two pass deflections in his time with the Hawkeyes.

Allen, Jr. redshirted in his freshman season, and joins Vanderbilt with a single season of eligibility remaining.

As a prospect from St. Thomas More High School, he was ranked as the No. 83 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois, according to 247Sports' composite ranking.

Much like DeBose, Allen is likely to be an instant impact type of addition for the Commodores, but one that brings a much higher level of experience. He saw time in 27 total games across the last three seasons, and now looks ready for his next opportunity.

Incoming Vanderbilt Transfers

1. EDGE CJ Jackson, 6-foot-3, 220 lbs. (Committed on 01/09/2026)
2. EDGE Brian Allen, Jr., 6-foot-3, 264 lbs. (Committed 01/11/2026)
3. TE Maurice Veney, 6-foot-4, 270 lbs. (Committed on 11/25/2025)
4. TE Jayvontay Conner, 6-foot-4, 231 lbs. (Committed on 01/04/2026)
5. LS Kaden Schickel, 6-foot-2, 204 lbs. (Committed 01/20/2026)
6. OL Beau Johnson, 6-foot-6, 297 lbs. (Committed on 01/05/2026)
7. OL Micah DeBose, 6-foot-5, 315 lbs. (Committed 01/11/2026)
8. DL Talan Carter, 6-foot-1, 300 lbs. (Committed on 01/05/2026)
9. CB Cobey Sellers, 5-foot-11, 176 lbs. (Committed on 01/06/2026)
10. IOL Lyndon Cooper, 6-foot-2, 310 lbs. (Committed 01/07/2026)
11. P Tyler Ebel, 6-foot-4, 235 lbs. (Committed 01/08/2026)
12. WR Cole Adams, 5-foot-10, 183 lbs. (Committed on 01/09/2026)

Outgoing Vanderbilt Transfers

1. CB Trudell Berry
2. DL Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala
3. EDGE Linus Zunk (Committed to Washington State on 01/08/2026)
4. IOL Cooper Starks (Committed to South Dakota State on 01/06/2026)
5. LB Jailen Ruth
6. LB Randon Fontenette
7. OT Misael Sandoval
8. RB AJ Newberry
9. RB Chase Gillespie
10. TE Larry Benton III
11. TE Witt Edwards
12. QB Jeremy St-Hilaire
13. QB Drew Dickey (Committed to Arkansas State on 01/04/2026)
14. WR Tre Richardson (Committed to Louisville on 01/09/2026)
15. WR Chance Fitzgerald
16. WR Jeremiah Dillon
17. WR Boski Barrett