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Durant (Okla.) 2024 defensive tackle Xadavien Sims, a four-star recruiting target and the top player in the state of Oklahoma, is about ready to reveal who he will be playing for next season, including Vanderbilt in his list of Top 5 schools.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound recruit and 74th nationally ranked player by Rivals.com sat down with VandySportsDotCom to details how serious of an option the Commodores are for him.

- On his interest in Vanderbilt

"I've been talking to them long before they offered me. They have been on my radar for a while," Sims said. "They weren't really a top school for me until I got on campus and saw it for myself. Once I saw it, I immediately wanted an OV to get back."

- His thoughts on the Commodores' coaching staff

"I've talked to coach Lawson for the longest time," Sims said. "Him and my trainer have a really good connection but Coach Haye and Coach Black are some of my favorite coaches I've gotten to meet and connect with. Vandy stands out the most to me because they play freshman early and proved it. Coach Haye is so real and I can tell him and Coach Black are really pure."

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This is the school's gamer.

What does this mean for Vanderbilt and college sports in general?

Anyone know how to watch a full game replay (not just highlights)? I’ll admit it, I turned it off in the 7th.

Have been greatly exaggerated.

Y’all believe?

Something is very wrong with this team .

1) Appears to give us the 4 seed in the SEC tourney no matter what happens today. So we get a first round bye and play Wednesday night.
2) It had to clinch us hosting a regional (if that was ever in doubt).
3) Keeps alive our hopes for a national seed.
4) Fired up the team and the fans and gave everyone a needed boost in confidence.
5) Let me have a victory Fireball shot for the first time since the Louisville game.
6) Established me as a 66 year old stage door groupie. After the game, I hung around the concourse with a crowd of adoring fans and celebrated with the players.
7) Add yours here.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Red Bank edge rusher Kobe Smith has built up a nice recruiting resume and after a handful of spring visits has narrowed his focus to three teams for now.

"Right now I have Duke and Vanderbilt set and I'm working on getting one to Cincinnati too," Smith noted.

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For now, Smith will take official visits to Duke on June 16th and Vanderbilt on June 23rd.

He's made previous visits to both programs already in the spring and is looking forward to return trips this summer.

With Duke, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound prospect has developed a great rapport with defensive ends coach Harland Bower and likes what the Blue Devils have to offer.

"Duke stands out to me because not only can you get an amazing education there," Smith said of Duke. "They are also building an amazing football program that Is constantly getting better."

With Vanderbilt, Smith has built a solid relationship with Vanderbilt defensive ends coach Jovan Haye and loves the trajectory of the Commodores as well.

"Vandy has a great program in the making too," Smith noted of the Commodores. "Something that stood out to me about their program was how much time they gave players one-on-one learning on and off the field."

Cincinnati is a school that Smith previously camped with their old staff last summer, but Scott Satterfield and his new staff are making a strong push and is set to get an official visit as well. Smith has been talking the most with co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Nate Fuqua.

"I went to there camp in Cincinnati last summer and absolutely loved it, so I really want to see what they have in store there."

Smith is coming off a stellar junior season that landed him Defensive Player of the Year honors in his region. As a junior, Smith finished with 90 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 13 pressures, 10 sacks, nine fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, and four defensive touchdowns.

With numbers like that combined with his stature, there is plenty to like about Smith's repertoire of talent.

"Coaches say they like how fast I am off the ball and how I utilize my length."

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Why is he our play by play guy?

Sleep with the Dean’s daughter?

Do you think there is a chance they might move the game back as the rain looks like it’s moving out late this afternoon.

8th in the SEC in runs scored last year and 13th this year. Enough said

I’ve got personal conflicts the next two nights and Joey is out of town so we won’t have in-person coverage on Thursday or Friday. I will be there in person on Saturday. I may get to follow some late on TV tonight and there is a possibility Joey can cover from TV but he isn’t sure. If so, we will run a gamer or if not I’ll just use the school story.

There was no living human being I admired more than him. If you have never heard his podcast, you have missed out. He may have been the wisest living man until his passing and it has had a profound influence on my life. Prayers with his family but I know he is in a better place.

Are y’all thinking what I’m thinking

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Hliboki was stellar. If we just picked up a long middle reliever or potential starter I’m tickled pink.

We need to be mindful of tourney play and develop our pitching with these recent hurdles.

Something needs to change.

We seem to get the pitchers and defense, but we should hit much better as one of the premier baseball programs in the country.

I was not able to start watching the game until the 2nd, and it was 5-0. I just switched to the NBA. No way we are scoring more than 4 runs against a team with quality pitching.

Presently.

Then you read these stories and you’re like…yeah, there’s a reason he’s the best in the business, and that people respect the hell out of him.

Big Big game in this series and maybe the season ! We should be fired up and ready to play !