Justin Angel and I provide the latest update in Vanderbilt football recruiting...
Quarterback commits: Deuce Wallace
Rundown: Vanderbilt is finished with quarterback position, as Deuce will be the only 2016 quarterback in this class. He enrolls next month. We wouldn’t rule out Vanderbilt possibly having interest in a grad transfer at the position.
Running back commits: Jamauri Wakefield
Rundown: Vanderbilt is finished at running back position with the addition of Jamauri Wakefield last week. The Florida running back chose Vanderbilt over Wake Forest, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, and others. He was able to commit when Sam Brodner decommitted from the Commodores.
Wide receiver commits: Donaven Tennyson
Rundown: This is the hottest topic among Vanderbilt fans, as the Commodores plan to sign three wide receivers in the 2016 class. The Commodores currently have one committed in Tennyson. Here are some of the targets to watch.
Tyler Simmons is a top target for the Commodore staff, and he is expected in Nashville for an official visit in January. He has already visited California and Georgia Tech, and he is also being heavily recruited by Alabama and Georgia.
Local standout Nate Johnson recently committed to Michigan just days after they offered. The Independence hasn’t completely shut down his recruitment, as he plans to officially visit Miami, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern in January.
Colorado commit Anthony Julmisse has shot up the recruiting board, and he is another wide receiver than plans to officially visit the Commodores in January. He is considered a bit of a tweener between wide receiver and running back, but the Florida native is known for his playmaking ability. Many believe that Vanderbilt can flip the Colorado commit.
Vanderbilt recently offered Oklahoma wide receiver Jackson Winrow, and he plans to officially visit in January. Many in Oklahoma are surprised that Vanderbilt was his first Power-5 offer. Many believe that he wants to stay and play in the Big-12.
Vanderbilt continues to show interest in Wisconsin commit Quintez Cephus and NJ wide receiver Donald Stewart. Vanderbilt is trying to get both on campus sometime before signing day.
Then, Vanderbilt has several wide receiver targets on the radar including CJ Windham, Xavier Lee, DJ Ford, Devaughn Vele, Jordan Robinson, Rico Bussey, Kalija Lipscomb, Devontres Dukes, and others.
Tight end Commits: Turner Cockrell
Rundown: Vanderbilt seems to be finished at the position, but they do continue to push for Ole Miss commit Gabe Angel. There is a possibility that he could visit in January despite being an early enrollee at Ole Miss.
Offensive line commits: Devin Cochran, Braden Kopp
Rundown: With new offensive line coach Cameron Norcross (not official yet), things could get interesting along the offensive front recruiting as the Commodores hope to add two more offensive linemen to the current class. Here are some of the targets.
Sean Auwae, rated the 4th best center in the country, has trimmed his list of schools down to 3 in Hawaii, Vanderbilt, and Louisville. He plans to officially visit Louisville and Hawaii before making a decision. He recently updated his recruitment with us here.
Another situation to follow is Texas grand transfer Jake Raulerson. He graduated in three years, and he will have two years at his school of choice. He would be elgible immediately. There is mutual interest between Vanderbilt and Raulerson who will take an official visit to Michigan on the weekend of January 15th.
Grayson Stover is no longer considered an early enrollee, and that won’t be an issue with Vanderbilt. While saying that, we get the feel that he is leaning toward Indiana and Maryland.
Longtime Wisconsin offensive tackle pledge Patrick Kasl is a committed target the Commodores are hoping to get on campus sometime in January. Vanderbilt offered the 6-foot-6, 280-pound prospect back in October and have been recruiting him hard ever since. Minnesota is another program that is trying to make a late push for Kasl as well.
Another Hawaiian offensive lineman to watch is Nate Herbig. The Stanford commit continues to show interest in Vanderbilt. If he doesn’t make it through admissions at Stanford, he could be a name to watch.
Defensive line commits: Drew Birchmeier, Brandon Adams, Cameron Tidd
Rundown: The Commodores are looking to add an additional defensive end to this class and names like Thomas Schaffer, Kelvin Lucky, and Prince Sammons have commonly been mentioned as possibilities.
Three-star Lake Forest Academy (Ill.) prospect Thomas Schaffer has already taken three official visits in November to Oregon, Stanford, and Wisconsin. Schaffer is not in a hurry to make a decision and is contemplating taking official visits to Cal and Vanderbilt in January. However, he recently told VandySports.com that a visit to West End won’t be likely for him.
Edgewood Academy (Ala.) defensive standout Kelvin Lucky has seen his recruiting process blow up midway through his senior season, picking up major offers from a variety of power five schools. Vanderbilt was the first major program to extend an offer and Lucky will reward the Commodores with a planned official visit on the weekend of January 15th.
The Commodores like Lucky as a defensive end/outside linebacker option, while other programs that have offered like him at tight end. Lucky also has an official visit scheduled to Texas on January 29th.
Ohio four-star prospect Prince Sammons has already taken two official visits to Oregon and Duke. While the rest of his visit plans are currently up in the air, Brandon Sammons (Prince’s father) told Rivals.com Recruiting Analyst Josh Helmholdt that Vanderbilt is highly likely to get an official visit in January.
Linebacker commits: none
Rundown: Vanderbilt is looking to add either an inside or outside linebacker to the fold. Top prospects here include Dru Mathis, the aforementioned Kelvin Lucky, and Cameron Goode.
Buena (Calif.) three-star prospect Dru Mathis has been very high on Vanderbilt since being offered back in the spring. Mathis has already taken an official visit to Nevada and plans to take official visits to Fresno State, Cal, Vanderbilt, and San Diego State in January. The Commodores like Mathis at inside linebacker.
Klein Collins (Tex.) outside linebacker and current Cal commit Cameron Goode is currently weighing all of his options, recently taking an official visit to Nebraska earlier this month. With Vanderbilt recently extending an offer, the Commodores find themselves in good shape with 6-foot-3, 195-pounder as he’s scheduled an official visit to West End the weekend of January 15th. Goode will follow that up with an official to Cal on January 22nd.
Defensive backs commits: JoeJuan Williams, Frank Coppet, Austin Quillen,Zaire Jones
Rundown: As of now, it looks like the coaching staff is looking to add one more defensive back to an already impressive list of secondary playmakers. Their top remaining defensive back targets include Nick McCloud, Quincy Lenton, and Elijah Hamilton.
Vanderbilt offered South Pointe (S.C.) prospect Nick McCloud back in October and made quite an impression after he made an unofficial visit during the Missouri game earlier in the season. The Commodores remain very high on McCloud’s list of suitors and could result in an official visit sometime in January. The three-star prospect has already taken an official visit to N.C. State at the beginning of the month. Northwestern, West Virginia, and others remain in the mix as well.
While still committed to Florida, Vanderbilt is still making a late push to three-star defensive back Quincy Lenton, who is high school teammates with current Commodore signee Zaire Jones. Recently, Jones told Rivals.com Recruiting Analyst Woody Wommack that he is working on trying to get Lenton to Vanderbilt during the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game earlier this month.
The newest Commodore target is Blessed Trinity (Ga.) product Elijah Hamilton, who received an offer from Vanderbilt defensive backs coach Brett Maxie back on Monday. Hamilton is hard-hitting defensive back and with Vanderbilt his first offer from a power five conference, and the 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect became the latest commitment to the 2016 class (hasn’t gone public).
Specialist commit: Sam Loy
Rundown: Vanderbilt is finished with specialist recruiting.
Expected official visitors in January
January 15th
Kelvin Lucky
Cameron Goode
January 22nd
Donaven Tennyson
Cameron Tidd
Turner Cockrell
Brandon Adams
Drew Birchmeier
Jamauri Wakefield
Devin Cochran
Braden Kopp
Sam Loy
Austin Quillen
Frank Coppet
Nate Johnson
Elijah Hamilton
Plans to visit (date to be determined)
Prince Sammons
Dru Mathis
Jackson Winrow
Tyler Simmons
Anthony Julmisse
Quarterback commits: Deuce Wallace
Rundown: Vanderbilt is finished with quarterback position, as Deuce will be the only 2016 quarterback in this class. He enrolls next month. We wouldn’t rule out Vanderbilt possibly having interest in a grad transfer at the position.
Running back commits: Jamauri Wakefield
Rundown: Vanderbilt is finished at running back position with the addition of Jamauri Wakefield last week. The Florida running back chose Vanderbilt over Wake Forest, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, and others. He was able to commit when Sam Brodner decommitted from the Commodores.
Wide receiver commits: Donaven Tennyson
Rundown: This is the hottest topic among Vanderbilt fans, as the Commodores plan to sign three wide receivers in the 2016 class. The Commodores currently have one committed in Tennyson. Here are some of the targets to watch.
Tyler Simmons is a top target for the Commodore staff, and he is expected in Nashville for an official visit in January. He has already visited California and Georgia Tech, and he is also being heavily recruited by Alabama and Georgia.
Local standout Nate Johnson recently committed to Michigan just days after they offered. The Independence hasn’t completely shut down his recruitment, as he plans to officially visit Miami, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern in January.
Colorado commit Anthony Julmisse has shot up the recruiting board, and he is another wide receiver than plans to officially visit the Commodores in January. He is considered a bit of a tweener between wide receiver and running back, but the Florida native is known for his playmaking ability. Many believe that Vanderbilt can flip the Colorado commit.
Vanderbilt recently offered Oklahoma wide receiver Jackson Winrow, and he plans to officially visit in January. Many in Oklahoma are surprised that Vanderbilt was his first Power-5 offer. Many believe that he wants to stay and play in the Big-12.
Vanderbilt continues to show interest in Wisconsin commit Quintez Cephus and NJ wide receiver Donald Stewart. Vanderbilt is trying to get both on campus sometime before signing day.
Then, Vanderbilt has several wide receiver targets on the radar including CJ Windham, Xavier Lee, DJ Ford, Devaughn Vele, Jordan Robinson, Rico Bussey, Kalija Lipscomb, Devontres Dukes, and others.
Tight end Commits: Turner Cockrell
Rundown: Vanderbilt seems to be finished at the position, but they do continue to push for Ole Miss commit Gabe Angel. There is a possibility that he could visit in January despite being an early enrollee at Ole Miss.
Offensive line commits: Devin Cochran, Braden Kopp
Rundown: With new offensive line coach Cameron Norcross (not official yet), things could get interesting along the offensive front recruiting as the Commodores hope to add two more offensive linemen to the current class. Here are some of the targets.
Sean Auwae, rated the 4th best center in the country, has trimmed his list of schools down to 3 in Hawaii, Vanderbilt, and Louisville. He plans to officially visit Louisville and Hawaii before making a decision. He recently updated his recruitment with us here.
Another situation to follow is Texas grand transfer Jake Raulerson. He graduated in three years, and he will have two years at his school of choice. He would be elgible immediately. There is mutual interest between Vanderbilt and Raulerson who will take an official visit to Michigan on the weekend of January 15th.
Grayson Stover is no longer considered an early enrollee, and that won’t be an issue with Vanderbilt. While saying that, we get the feel that he is leaning toward Indiana and Maryland.
Longtime Wisconsin offensive tackle pledge Patrick Kasl is a committed target the Commodores are hoping to get on campus sometime in January. Vanderbilt offered the 6-foot-6, 280-pound prospect back in October and have been recruiting him hard ever since. Minnesota is another program that is trying to make a late push for Kasl as well.
Another Hawaiian offensive lineman to watch is Nate Herbig. The Stanford commit continues to show interest in Vanderbilt. If he doesn’t make it through admissions at Stanford, he could be a name to watch.
Defensive line commits: Drew Birchmeier, Brandon Adams, Cameron Tidd
Rundown: The Commodores are looking to add an additional defensive end to this class and names like Thomas Schaffer, Kelvin Lucky, and Prince Sammons have commonly been mentioned as possibilities.
Three-star Lake Forest Academy (Ill.) prospect Thomas Schaffer has already taken three official visits in November to Oregon, Stanford, and Wisconsin. Schaffer is not in a hurry to make a decision and is contemplating taking official visits to Cal and Vanderbilt in January. However, he recently told VandySports.com that a visit to West End won’t be likely for him.
Edgewood Academy (Ala.) defensive standout Kelvin Lucky has seen his recruiting process blow up midway through his senior season, picking up major offers from a variety of power five schools. Vanderbilt was the first major program to extend an offer and Lucky will reward the Commodores with a planned official visit on the weekend of January 15th.
The Commodores like Lucky as a defensive end/outside linebacker option, while other programs that have offered like him at tight end. Lucky also has an official visit scheduled to Texas on January 29th.
Ohio four-star prospect Prince Sammons has already taken two official visits to Oregon and Duke. While the rest of his visit plans are currently up in the air, Brandon Sammons (Prince’s father) told Rivals.com Recruiting Analyst Josh Helmholdt that Vanderbilt is highly likely to get an official visit in January.
Linebacker commits: none
Rundown: Vanderbilt is looking to add either an inside or outside linebacker to the fold. Top prospects here include Dru Mathis, the aforementioned Kelvin Lucky, and Cameron Goode.
Buena (Calif.) three-star prospect Dru Mathis has been very high on Vanderbilt since being offered back in the spring. Mathis has already taken an official visit to Nevada and plans to take official visits to Fresno State, Cal, Vanderbilt, and San Diego State in January. The Commodores like Mathis at inside linebacker.
Klein Collins (Tex.) outside linebacker and current Cal commit Cameron Goode is currently weighing all of his options, recently taking an official visit to Nebraska earlier this month. With Vanderbilt recently extending an offer, the Commodores find themselves in good shape with 6-foot-3, 195-pounder as he’s scheduled an official visit to West End the weekend of January 15th. Goode will follow that up with an official to Cal on January 22nd.
Defensive backs commits: JoeJuan Williams, Frank Coppet, Austin Quillen,Zaire Jones
Rundown: As of now, it looks like the coaching staff is looking to add one more defensive back to an already impressive list of secondary playmakers. Their top remaining defensive back targets include Nick McCloud, Quincy Lenton, and Elijah Hamilton.
Vanderbilt offered South Pointe (S.C.) prospect Nick McCloud back in October and made quite an impression after he made an unofficial visit during the Missouri game earlier in the season. The Commodores remain very high on McCloud’s list of suitors and could result in an official visit sometime in January. The three-star prospect has already taken an official visit to N.C. State at the beginning of the month. Northwestern, West Virginia, and others remain in the mix as well.
While still committed to Florida, Vanderbilt is still making a late push to three-star defensive back Quincy Lenton, who is high school teammates with current Commodore signee Zaire Jones. Recently, Jones told Rivals.com Recruiting Analyst Woody Wommack that he is working on trying to get Lenton to Vanderbilt during the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game earlier this month.
The newest Commodore target is Blessed Trinity (Ga.) product Elijah Hamilton, who received an offer from Vanderbilt defensive backs coach Brett Maxie back on Monday. Hamilton is hard-hitting defensive back and with Vanderbilt his first offer from a power five conference, and the 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect became the latest commitment to the 2016 class (hasn’t gone public).
Specialist commit: Sam Loy
Rundown: Vanderbilt is finished with specialist recruiting.
Expected official visitors in January
January 15th
Kelvin Lucky
Cameron Goode
January 22nd
Donaven Tennyson
Cameron Tidd
Turner Cockrell
Brandon Adams
Drew Birchmeier
Jamauri Wakefield
Devin Cochran
Braden Kopp
Sam Loy
Austin Quillen
Frank Coppet
Nate Johnson
Elijah Hamilton
Plans to visit (date to be determined)
Prince Sammons
Dru Mathis
Jackson Winrow
Tyler Simmons
Anthony Julmisse
