Ball State transfer, former Colorado QB Walter Taylor re-signs with Vanderbilt

Former Ball State and Colorado quarterback Walter Taylor has signed to transfer to Vanderbilt, where he originally signed out of high school, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. He’ll have one season of collegiate eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-5 and 241-pound Taylor originally signed with the Commodores as a three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle out of Jackson (Ala.) High, where he was ranked as the No. 44 player out of Alabama, the No. 65 quarterback in the class and the No. 1,121 player overall, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting media companies.

Taylor hasn’t played a college snap since appearing in five games in 2023 as a sophomore at Vanderbilt, when he threw 44 yards and one interception on 5-of-15 passing in a backup role. Taylor also added 103 rushing yards and one touchdown on 30 carries that season.

The dual-threat Taylor opted to enter the transfer portal that offseason and signed with Colorado ahead of the 2024 season, where he didn’t see the field while sitting behind then-Buffaloes starting Shedeur Sanders on the depth chart. Taylor then transferred to Ball State, where he also found himself burried on the depth chart and unable to crack the two-deep with the Cardinals.

Now he’ll return to where it all began in hopes of finding more success on the field in Nashville.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Taylor is the 14th transfer to sign with Vanderbilt since the portal opened Jan. 2nd, and only quarterback. He joins a 2026 transfer class that includes former Alabama receiver Cole Adams and interior offensive lineman Micah DeBose, as well as former LSU EDGE CJ Jackson, and former Texas A&M cornerback Cobey Sellers, among others.

Clemson transfer DB Ricardo Jones commits to Vanderbilt

Clemson transfer safety Ricardo Jones has committed to play for Vanderbilt in the 2026 season, On3’s Hayes Fawcett has learned. He played the past two seasons with the Tigers and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Jones stepped into a starting role this past season after playing 12 games in a reserve role as a true freshman in 2024. This year, he finished with six interceptions to lead the ACC in addition to 39 total tackles, three passes defended and a fumble recovery. He earned All-ACC third team honors for his performance.

Ricardo Jones played high school football at Northside in Warner Robins, Ga., where he was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class. He ranked as the No. 142 overall player and No. 9 safety in the cycle according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

— On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.