Vanderbilt Football 2026 Depth Chart Projection: Wide Receiver – Sports Illustrated

In this story:
Consistent factors: Junior Sherrill, Ja’Cory Thomas, Cole Adams
Rotational pieces: Brycen Coleman, Tristen Brown, Kayleb Barnett, Joseph McVay, 
Battling: Kahden Smith, Cameran Dickson, Lebron Hill 
Positional storylines:
Vanderbilt wanted to build the room with Tre Richardson and Sherrill for one more season, but couldn’t come to an agreement with Richardson. Still, though, it split the difference and probably got the more complete receiver anyway.
Sherrill can’t do it by himself, though. Thomas—who is a highly-compensated transfer from Old Dominion—has to step up. Vanderbilt also needs a number of its returning young players to demonstrate why they were recruited.
McVay, Coleman and Brown have all seen the field sparingly over the years because of pieces of their respective games that had to improve and a group of veterans ahead of them. That’s no longer the case, though. 
Those guys have to help Vanderbilt in 2026. None have to be stars, but someone has to prove that they’re worthy of being on the field with some level of consistency. 
Despite Sherrill headlining it, this is among the most unproven rooms on Vanderbilt’s roster. Yet, it’s not hopeless. It just needs a few pieces to play to a level that they haven’t yet.
Key pieces:
Junior Sherrill
Sherrill is ranked as the No. 1 player in Vandy on SI’s Vanderbilt player rankings because he has the best track record of proven production on the Vanderbilt roster.
He was Vanderbilt’s second-leading receiver in 2025 as he went for 784 yards on 54 receptions and scored seven touchdowns–including a 46 yarder, but he still believes he’s got more to accomplish. 
“I want to be the most dynamic person with the ball in my hands in the country,” Sherrill told Vandy on SI. “I feel like I’m gonna be an all-conference player this year.” 
Sherrill has proven to be good and will certainly be that again in 2026–despite heavier coverage—but he knows the next step for him is to be truly elite.
The ceiling of this group largely hinges on how close to elite Sherrill can get. 
Brycen Coleman 
Coleman has been a fall-camp hero over the years while playing tight end, but the role has never been there for him to take.
As a result, he and Vanderbilt’s coaching staff combined to come to a decision that ended in him moving to Vanderbilt’s wide receiver room. 
The problem for Coleman has never been anything to do with pass catching. He’s a big body with standout jump-ball skills, competent foot speed and some natural route-running ability. 
“It’s been a seamless transition for him,” Vanderbilt wide receivers coach Alex Bailey said. “Some of the things we asked him to do last year were very much like a receiver. Where he is working to get better is just being on the outside, going against press coverage. 
That’s a little bit different. And, you know, our goal is to ultimately move him around and have him play outside and have him play inside, so those are the points of emphasis, and those are things that he's working on.”
Vanderbilt needs Coleman to prove worthy of playing in 2026, and it appears he’ll do so. 
Joseph McVay 
McVay has always been good for a deep ball or two in practice or in a certain in-game package, but he’s not yet proven to be a complete receiver.
Now, though, he’s intent on becoming one.
“He's taking it seriously now,” Bailey said. “He really, really wants to play and he's fighting for a role. I think he's kind of learning from the past two years. 
He doesn't want it to end up that way, and he's taking the right steps towards changing it.”
Like Coleman, the opportunity for McVay to prove he belongs is as significant as it’s ever been since he arrived at Vanderbilt in 2024. Now, he’s just got to go earn it.
In some ways, he’s a microcosm of the room as a whole.
Follow us onTwitter/X,Facebook,YouTube,Instagram,ThreadsandBlue Skyfor the latest news.
Loading recommendations… Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations
Joey Dwyer is the lead writer on Vanderbilt Commodores On SI. He found his first love in college sports at nearby Lipscomb University and decided to make a career of telling its best stories. He got his start doing a Notre Dame basketball podcast from his basement as a 14-year-old during COVID and has since aimed to make that 14-year-old proud. Dwyer has covered Vanderbilt sports for three years and previously worked for 247 Sports and Rivals. He contributes to Seth Davis' Hoops HQ, Basket Under Review and Mainstreet Nashville.
© 2026 ABG-SI LLC – SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. – All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

source