Michael Mitchell Jr., the first quarterback commit of Vanderbilt’s 2026 recruiting class, announced his decommitment this week, as reported by Rivals on X.
The former Archbishop Riordan High School student from San Francisco had pledged to the Commodores back in September.
Mitchell’s decommitment has prompted a lot of fans on X to draw up multiple conspiracy theories pertaining to Coach Clark Lea and the Commodores:
🚨BREAKING🚨 QB Michael Mitchell has decommitted from Vanderbilt. https://t.co/0F7pxe8flI pic.twitter.com/GHFDhaLUZK
— Rivals (@Rivals) November 21, 2025
“Is Clark Lea gone?”, asked a fan.
“He knows Clark Lea is jumping ship to the first available opportunity per a source”, said a fan.
“Sounds like Clark Lea is going to Penn State!”, speculated a fan.
“Trouble on Broadway?”, remarked a fan.
“Jared Curtis, Welcome to Vandy”, stated a fan.
“go be great mike!”, commented a fan in support of Mitchell’s decision.
“Jared Curtis Vandy”, stated another fan.
The 5’11”, 175-pound signal caller was touted to be Pavia’s successor at Vanderbilt, but rumors and conspiracy theories circling around Lea’s future at the Commodores could have propelled Mitchell to decommit from the program. Offers from other schools like Stanford could also have played a role in his decommitment from Vanderbilt.
Mitchell’s Decommitment Sparks Speculation About Jared Curtis Joining Vanderbilt
A lot of fans reacted to Mitchell’s decommitment as a sign that Jared Curtis could potentially join the Commodores. Although Curtis has committed to Georgia, Vanderbilt is reportedly pursuing him to join their roster, considering Pavia’s eligibility ending in 2025.
So far, the Commodores have 20 commits in total for the 2026 class, with 19 of them being from high school.
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, at least for now, is focused on keeping the team in position to secure a College Football Playoff position in the midst of speculation surrounding his future, potentially featuring another coaching opportunity.
With the Commodores currently with an 8-2 record this season, he is focused on Vanderbilt and looking for a contract extension. Lea has not only dismissed coaching speculation, but he has also stayed in the moment for the sake of the students during this important stretch of the season.
In further good news for Vanderbilt, star quarterback Diego Pavia continues to shine as a Heisman candidate and one of the best players in the nation, according to Clark Lea, during the 2025 college football season.
Pavia has led the Commodores to several historic victories, including upsets of Alabama and LSU, and even signed a new NIL deal worth nearly $2 million, and reportedly turned down other estimated SEC offers valued at $4 million to remain committed to the Commodores.
Read More:
- ‘Let a MF Live’: Diego Pavia Takes Bold Stand for Cam Skattebo Amid Backlash From Fans Over Personal Life
- Alabama Legend Nick Saban Shows Unrelented Support To Diego Pavia’s Vanderbilt Ahead Of Missouri Clash
- Fans React as Diego Pavia’s Mom Steals Spotlight During Vanderbilt’s Win vs LSU: “A Little Ridiculous”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
