Vanderbilt Football Defensive Takeaways After First Day of Fall Camp

The Commodores wrapped up the first day of fall camp Wednesday. Here is what stood out about the Vanderbilt defense.

Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Steve Gregory works with his team against Georgia State during the first quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

It is officially camping season in the sport of college football. Vanderbilt football completed the first day of fall camp for the 2026 season Wednesday.

The Commodores are coming off what was a historical 2025 season that featured the program’s first 10-win season in program history. That is in the past now, though. The Commodores are looking to build upon what has transpired over the past couple seasons.

There is a good mix of old and new faces in the new era of Vanderbilt football, including on the defense. The Commodores defense is made up of veterans and younger players who are trying to earn their spots. Here are a few takeaways from Vanderbilt’s defense after the first day of fall camp.

Jordan Matthews Off to a Good Start

One of the defensive storylines to watch for on Vanderbilt’s defense is how the shuffle of the cornerback room stands out. Martel Hight is the clear leader in the position room, but Matthews is a guy that could emerge as the next man up amongst the cornerbacks.

In Vanderbilt’s first day of camp, Matthews looked to be around the ball often throughout the practice. In pass coverage, Matthews had moments where he looked improved from a season ago as well. It is a long camp, but Matthews did show out more than others in terms of depth guys in his position room.

Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Steve Gregory was complimentary of the work Matthes has put in during the offseason and heading into this year’s camp.

“Jordan Matthews is a guy that came on towards the end of last year and he’s been looking really good this year so far, too. So, we have guys in that room that can play,” Gregory said.

If Matthews is able to continue to look good in practice and has himself a good camp over the next couple of weeks, he may very well find himself a nice role in his room.

Bryce Cowan Had Good Day

It is more so of an expectation that veteran guys on the roster be in the mix in practice and that is exactly was the case for linebacker Bryce Cowan.

Cowan had a good first day of camp, especially in run defense. Cowan oftentimes was in the area of where things were happening and was a notable guy involved in run stoppages in practice.

The linebacker room is a luxury position for Vanderbilt’s defense this season. Vandy On SI’s pre-camp projection has Bryan Longwell and Nick Rinaldi as the two starters and Cowan as the next man up in the room. The depthness of the linebackers is why they could end up being the heart and soul of the Vanderbilt defense this season. Regardless of where Cowan ends up placing on the depth chart, the experience and playmaking ability of Vanderbilt’s linebackers speaks for itself.

Vanderbilt Feels it Has Options in Pass Rush

Coming out of the first post-practice press conference of camp, there was a lot of confidence in not only the defense’s ability to apply pressure on opposing teams but also confidence in the various ways it can do so.

From guys on the defensive line to the linebackers, Vanderbilt believes it has options when it comes to who can make an impact in the pass rush.

“Honestly Bryan Longwell and Nick Rinaldi are really good pass rushers for us. Bryce Cowan has the ability to rush off the second level. I think Brian Allen is going to be a guy that has an opportunity. Issa [Ouattara] as a big guy inside can sometimes pass rush on some of the mismatches he can create,” Gregory said. “But we’ll continue to evolve that in training camp and see who emerges as we start to do some one-on-one pass rush stuff.”

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