Vanderbilt Football Top 20 Player Rankings: No. 20

Our series ranking Vanderbilt football's top 20 players ahead of Clark Lea's sixth season continues with an evaluation of what could be a standout piece on Tim Beck's offense.

Jayvontay Conner and Vanderbilt football appear to be a good match. | Vanderbilt football

NASHVILLE—Vanderbilt football is in a new era under head coach Clark Lea as it moves forward after a program-best 10-3 season, but does so while replacing star quarterback Diego Pavia and star tight end Eli Stowers.

Lea and company believe that the program can move forward as winners, though, and the amount of experience they bring back is at the forefront of the reasons why. 

Lea has the 34th most experienced offense in the country, the No. 4 defense in the country, is No. 2 in game experience in the country and No. 12 in returning starts. 

“Just in terms of quality depth, I mean, this is probably the best team we've had,” Lea told Vandy on SI. “Obviously, we have some big gaps to fill, and some of those gaps were our production leaders from a year ago, but I like this team. 
I like where we are.” 

This Vanderbilt team doesn’t appear to have the elite names at the top of the roster that Lea’s 2025 team did, but he believes he’s got a capable group at every level. 

In Vandy on SI’s top 20 players list, all three phases will be represented, as well as every offensive and defensive position group. 

No. 20: Jayvontay Conner 

Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback Jared Curtis (2) works with tight end Jayvontay Conner (18) takes part in practice at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, March 31, 2026. | DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After spending time away from the SEC, Conner believes he’s ready to be back and embrace the challenge of playing in the league.

He’s certainly confident enough to do it.

“Waffle House is open 24 hours a day,” Conner said, “JC is open 24/7, man, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” 

Conner caught 23 balls, three touchdowns and went for 333 receiving yards a season ago while coming in as East Carolina’s second-most productive tight end. His numbers aren’t likely to take a major step forward as he moves up a level, but Conner appears to be in a place where he can contribute in the SEC–more than he did as a young player at Ole Miss. 

“I'm ready to give it a go,” Conner said. “I'm coming back this time around and I'm ready to give it a shot.”

Why No. 20?

Conner is likely Vanderbilt’s secondary tight end, but he’s a gifted receiver that appears to embody the mentality that Lea wants his receivers to carry.

He’s not set to be a star, but he’s exactly what Vanderbilt wanted to add alongside Cole Spence in the transfer portal.

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