An action-packed Friday Night Lights is in the books where a lot of Vanderbilt's top targets were in action and the Commodores had a big day on the recruiting trail, picking up four additional commitments for the 2017 class - two that are currently public are Northside (Ga.) safety Tae Daley and Ranchview (Tex.) defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
Here is a full recap of the top performers by position:
Quarterback:
- Jacob Free, Brantley (Ala.) - there is a lot to like about the Vanderbilt's prized commit of the 2017 class. The size is there at around 6-foot-4, 200-pounds and he displayed SEC caliber arm strength throughout the night. He really throws the ball effortless, however, he did struggle a lot with his accuracy with both his short and long throws. Despite that, you can tell the talent is there and upside is through the roof. He just needs to polish is overall game.
- Justin Fields, Harrison (Ga.) - he is another big-framed quarterback that already showed off his talents last Saturday at Vanderbilt's QB/WR/DB camp that helped land him an offer. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound signal caller has a very strong arm and is a very polished downfield passer.
- Drew Martin, BGA (2018 - he didn't have the strongest arm of the group, but he was probably the most pinpoint accurate passer throughout FNL. He's definitely a talented local prospect to keep an eye on.
Offensive Line:
Obinna Eze, Davidson Academy - the phenom with a lot of upside was dominant once again tonight winning nearly every one-on-one rep throughout the evening. We chatted with Eze afterwards and he's really high on the Commodores and says it's one of the schools that he feels home at.
Cole Mabry, Brentwood (2018) - he's a lengthy tackle that weighs 250 at the moment. Will be able to add weight. He held his own against Odeyingbo and Pinkney and he has the athleticism that Norcross likes on the edge.
Kameron Stutts, Brooks (Ala.) (2018) - 6-foot-4, 320-pound prospect has an offer from Iowa State. Has an extremely tall frame, needs to lose some weight, but has really good quickness and explosion for his size.
Other notables: Caden Williams, Franklin (2018) - had good moments at center tonight.
Running Backs:
Master Teague, Blackman (2018) - perhaps one of the best players in the 2018 class looks like an SEC level running back that can do it all. He just needs to get more consistent with his hands in pass catching.
Tight End:
Joeseph Sewell, Blackman - flashed great hands, can create separation with precise route-running, physical receiver that can use his hands well going up against linebackers, won almost every 1-on-1 rep.
Wide Receivers:
Kyric McGowan, Dalton (Ga.) - Vanderbilt originally liked the versatile athlete as a cornerback, but he worked out as a wide receiver and showed off his speed and quickness and got separation throughout the night during 1-on-1 competition.
Javonta Payton, Hillsboro - the local product has been making noise during the camp circuit this summer and it's easy to see why. He's very quick out of his stance and was one of the crisper route-runners of the group of wide receivers. As Vanderbilt continues to look at receivers it will be interesting to see if Payton will become a target.
Lance Wilhoite, FRA (2019) - easy to see why the young, local talent is going to be an SEC level talent by the time his recruiting class rolls around. A long-strider that creates separation with his quickness and showed off a consistent set of hands.
Defensive Line:
Dayo Odeyingbo, Ranchview (Tex.) - tall, long, smooth athlete. Displayed all of that in drills and 1-on-1's. Showed he was a competitor. Probably got the most reps in 1-on-1's. Looked just as good inside as outside.
Jalen Pinkney, Norcross (Ga.) - smooth and explosive in drills. He lost his footing a lot in individual techniques and even switched shoes. He flashed his explosiveness in 1-on-1's. Violent hands.
Jackson Perkins, Barrington (Ill.) - used his length well, had a good first step, tall and long athlete. Didn't look as good on the inside during 1-on-1's. Looked good as an edge rusher.
Angelo Howze, Fishers (Ind.) - really stood out during 1-on-1's, won almost all of his matchups, showed violent hands, good technique. Could be a solid FCS, low major talent.
Isaac Buell, Knox Central - won almost every matchup, not as quick or sudden as the other guys in his group, good balance, good ability, good hands, thicker body than any other player in his group.
Linebackers:
Jordan Stratchen, Camden Co. (Ga.) - displayed athleticism in individual drills, long body, more undersized which is what Vandy is looking for on weakside end, competitor, lots of 1-on-1 reps, long arms.
Jamal Brooks, Bessemer City (Ala.) - thick bodied kid, moved well, stood out during 1-on-1's, covered better for his size.
JD Bertram, Blessed Trinity (Ga.) (2019) - shined in drills, showed he belonged in 1-on-1's, had a great interception on a seam route.
Defensive Backs:
Randall Haynie, Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) - the top cornerback target on Vanderbilt's board was the most consistent performer at cornerback the whole night. Haynie flips his hips quickly and used his speed to stay to pester every WR he faced in 1-on-1's.
Tae Daley, Northside (Ga.) - the newly committed safety didn't really impress me too much in the agility drills, but that script was flipped during 1-on-1 competitions. Daley was really aggressive in his pass coverage skills and broke up a couple of pass attempts. You can tell he'll bring some physical play to the secondary in college.
Other notables: Justus Harris - Roswell (Ga.), Ra'Shaad Steward - Clearwater Central Catholic (Fla.)
Here is a full recap of the top performers by position:
Quarterback:
- Jacob Free, Brantley (Ala.) - there is a lot to like about the Vanderbilt's prized commit of the 2017 class. The size is there at around 6-foot-4, 200-pounds and he displayed SEC caliber arm strength throughout the night. He really throws the ball effortless, however, he did struggle a lot with his accuracy with both his short and long throws. Despite that, you can tell the talent is there and upside is through the roof. He just needs to polish is overall game.
- Justin Fields, Harrison (Ga.) - he is another big-framed quarterback that already showed off his talents last Saturday at Vanderbilt's QB/WR/DB camp that helped land him an offer. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound signal caller has a very strong arm and is a very polished downfield passer.
- Drew Martin, BGA (2018 - he didn't have the strongest arm of the group, but he was probably the most pinpoint accurate passer throughout FNL. He's definitely a talented local prospect to keep an eye on.
Offensive Line:
Obinna Eze, Davidson Academy - the phenom with a lot of upside was dominant once again tonight winning nearly every one-on-one rep throughout the evening. We chatted with Eze afterwards and he's really high on the Commodores and says it's one of the schools that he feels home at.
Cole Mabry, Brentwood (2018) - he's a lengthy tackle that weighs 250 at the moment. Will be able to add weight. He held his own against Odeyingbo and Pinkney and he has the athleticism that Norcross likes on the edge.
Kameron Stutts, Brooks (Ala.) (2018) - 6-foot-4, 320-pound prospect has an offer from Iowa State. Has an extremely tall frame, needs to lose some weight, but has really good quickness and explosion for his size.
Other notables: Caden Williams, Franklin (2018) - had good moments at center tonight.
Running Backs:
Master Teague, Blackman (2018) - perhaps one of the best players in the 2018 class looks like an SEC level running back that can do it all. He just needs to get more consistent with his hands in pass catching.
Tight End:
Joeseph Sewell, Blackman - flashed great hands, can create separation with precise route-running, physical receiver that can use his hands well going up against linebackers, won almost every 1-on-1 rep.
Wide Receivers:
Kyric McGowan, Dalton (Ga.) - Vanderbilt originally liked the versatile athlete as a cornerback, but he worked out as a wide receiver and showed off his speed and quickness and got separation throughout the night during 1-on-1 competition.
Javonta Payton, Hillsboro - the local product has been making noise during the camp circuit this summer and it's easy to see why. He's very quick out of his stance and was one of the crisper route-runners of the group of wide receivers. As Vanderbilt continues to look at receivers it will be interesting to see if Payton will become a target.
Lance Wilhoite, FRA (2019) - easy to see why the young, local talent is going to be an SEC level talent by the time his recruiting class rolls around. A long-strider that creates separation with his quickness and showed off a consistent set of hands.
Defensive Line:
Dayo Odeyingbo, Ranchview (Tex.) - tall, long, smooth athlete. Displayed all of that in drills and 1-on-1's. Showed he was a competitor. Probably got the most reps in 1-on-1's. Looked just as good inside as outside.
Jalen Pinkney, Norcross (Ga.) - smooth and explosive in drills. He lost his footing a lot in individual techniques and even switched shoes. He flashed his explosiveness in 1-on-1's. Violent hands.
Jackson Perkins, Barrington (Ill.) - used his length well, had a good first step, tall and long athlete. Didn't look as good on the inside during 1-on-1's. Looked good as an edge rusher.
Angelo Howze, Fishers (Ind.) - really stood out during 1-on-1's, won almost all of his matchups, showed violent hands, good technique. Could be a solid FCS, low major talent.
Isaac Buell, Knox Central - won almost every matchup, not as quick or sudden as the other guys in his group, good balance, good ability, good hands, thicker body than any other player in his group.
Linebackers:
Jordan Stratchen, Camden Co. (Ga.) - displayed athleticism in individual drills, long body, more undersized which is what Vandy is looking for on weakside end, competitor, lots of 1-on-1 reps, long arms.
Jamal Brooks, Bessemer City (Ala.) - thick bodied kid, moved well, stood out during 1-on-1's, covered better for his size.
JD Bertram, Blessed Trinity (Ga.) (2019) - shined in drills, showed he belonged in 1-on-1's, had a great interception on a seam route.
Defensive Backs:
Randall Haynie, Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) - the top cornerback target on Vanderbilt's board was the most consistent performer at cornerback the whole night. Haynie flips his hips quickly and used his speed to stay to pester every WR he faced in 1-on-1's.
Tae Daley, Northside (Ga.) - the newly committed safety didn't really impress me too much in the agility drills, but that script was flipped during 1-on-1 competitions. Daley was really aggressive in his pass coverage skills and broke up a couple of pass attempts. You can tell he'll bring some physical play to the secondary in college.
Other notables: Justus Harris - Roswell (Ga.), Ra'Shaad Steward - Clearwater Central Catholic (Fla.)
