- Chatted with Utley tonight for more of a national update, but did ask him specifically about Vanderbilt, who is among his recently released Top 12. During the summer, the local Ensworth product took trips to Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, and Miami. Out of those four programs, he's had a long standing relationship with the coaches at Oklahoma, who were previously at Clemson, that includes Sooners head coach Brent Venables. With Florida, that was his second time on their campus. Texas is his latest offer and made the cut and he told me the Miami coaches are very energetic when he was down there.
When it comes to Vanderbilt, Utley had a ton of positive things to say about his relationship with the coaching staff. The most obvious thing mentioned, was how the staff already makes him feel at home and is always welcoming whenever he stops by campus. I'll post an update with quotes in the next day or so, but this seems to be a fight Vandy will have a good shot with. Make a bowl game this year, and you're looking even better. Commodores also landed a commitment from his teammate Jaren Sensabaugh as well. That can't hurt either.
- Vanderbilt became the first power five offer for Muhammad in early June after he impressed the coaches at camp. Wide receiver coach Alex Bailey had been communicating with him for a bit and invited him to camp, where he worked out at WR and cornerback as well. Said he really enjoyed the experience with Vandy and is planning to return for a game visit this fall. The local team, Memphis, also offered this summer and Temple has also offered as well. Muhammad said he's planning to also attend a game at Memphis this fall. But, another example of Vanderbilt evaluating and getting in on in-state talent early.
- Also talked with Sterling, who picked up a Vanderbilt offer after impressing at camp last month. Once again, the Commodores were his first power five offer and he's since picked up one from Tulane. He told me he really loved the camp experience and said the coaching staff never let their campers lack. He worked a lot with Haye and Black during the camp and said they liked his "SEC level size and ability." He plans to return for a game this fall sometime as well.
