Roswell native Cole Spence will wear a captain's "C" when Vanderbilt opens its 2026 football season Saturday, Sept. 5.

The tight end was one of four players named team captain by head coach Clark Lea on Saturday, Aug. 29, according to the program's official announcement. It is Spence's first captaincy.

Spence appeared in all 13 games for the Commodores in 2025, starting 10. He finished the year with 15 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns in the Southeastern Conference.

His biggest play came in overtime against Auburn on Nov. 8, 2025. Vanderbilt trailed by 10 points before rallying, and Spence hauled in a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Diego Pavia to seal a 45-38 victory. The win over Auburn helped propel a Commodores squad that went 6-2 in SEC play during the regular season.

Spence also posted a career-high five receptions for 56 yards and a score in the Commodores' win over No. 10 LSU. Those moments stood out in a season that saw Vanderbilt finish 10-3 overall, according to preseason previews, including a Tampa Bowl loss to Iowa.

With former tight end Eli Stowers now in the NFL after being selected in the second round of the draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Spence steps into a larger role in 2026. He joins fellow captains Issa Ouattara, a defensive lineman and second-year captain, linebacker Nick Rinaldi and running back Makhilyn Young.

Lea also named an 11-member leadership council that includes new starting quarterback Blaze Berlowitz.

The Commodores kick off Saturday, Sept. 5, against Austin Peay at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on the SEC Network. Vanderbilt then hosts Delaware on Sept. 12 and NC State on Sept. 19 before opening conference play at Auburn on Sept. 26.