Commodores Recruiting: Franklin Signs Best Vanderbilt Class in Recruiting Era

On Wednesday Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin gave Commodores fans arguably the best recruiting class the city of Nashville has signed in 20 years or more.

The discrepancy in recruiting services aside, even the most critical of Vanderbilt fans cannot argue about the tremendous amount of SEC caliber talent Franklin signed to his 2012 recruiting class.

When National Signing Day finished the whirlwind of activities across the nation, Vanderbilt signed a class that included three 4-star prospects along with 18 3-star players including one 3-star prospect that will grayshirt this fall.

The biggest coups of the recruiting class maybe linebackers Jakarri Thomas and Harding Harper, two prospects very high on SEC rival Arkansas.

Thomas was committed to the Hogs until Jan. 27 when he switched his verbal pledge from Arkansas to Vanderbilt after his official visit to Nashville.

Harper had been offered by Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and Arkansas. He is considered the thirty-second best linebacker in this year’s recruiting class by Scout.com.

Franklin filled a need at middle linebacker with Harper and Jacob Sealand. With Chris Marve departing due to graduation, Harper and Sealand will both get an opportunity to compete for time at middle linebacker during fall practices.

Three big in-state recruits helped add overall quality to Vandy’s class. Running back Brian Kimbrow from Memphis, defensive end Caleb Azubike, and Andrew Jelks from Henry County High School were all considered 4-star talents on Rivals.com.

Azubike has the frame, size, and tools to be an All-SEC performer. He is listed at 6’5”, 240 pounds, and runs a reported 4.65 forty-yard dash. He was offered scholarships by Miami, Kentucky, and Boston College among others.

Offensive tackle Andrew Jelks is listed as the thirty-first best offensive tackle in the nation. His 6’6”, 260 pound frame will need to add some weight once he gets on campus if he is to remain an offensive tackle in the SEC but his footwork and hand quickness coming out his stance is great.

Brian Kimbrow from East High School in Memphis has the game breaking speed that every coaching staff covets including teams like Alabama and Auburn.

He has been clocked at 4.2 in the forty-yard dash. He is a little undersized at 5’9”, 165 pounds, but the addition of extra weight should not slow him down too much.

Because of Kimbrow’s speed, he will get opportunities to contribute on special teams next fall on return and coverage units. If he can show improvement with his pass catching ability he could make an impact as a third-down back as well.

A few surprises came Vanderbilt’s way on National Signing Day. Safety-athlete Chris Moody from Henry County High School in Georgia signed with South Carolina instead of with the Commodores.

Perhaps the least surprising but the most upsetting loss was four-star defensive end Josh Dawson to Georgia. The Tucker, GA product was rumored to be a candidate to flip to Georgia leading up to National Signing Day.

The Commodores may have found their quarterback of the future in Patton Robinette. With senior quarterback Larry Smith departing and 2011 starter Jordan Rodgers having only one more year of eligibility left, Robinette will have an opportunity to push Rodgers in practice while learning the game during the 2012 season.

One of the biggest needs for the Commodores in 2012 that has gone unsigned is at kicker. Three-star kicker Colby Cooke from Goochland, VA has been committed to the Commodores since August but remains unsigned and is expected to grayshirt this fall.

Cooke’s scholarship will count against Vanderbilt’s 2013 recruiting class.

Cooke is considered the eighth best kicker in the nation per Rivals.com. If he is able to translate his prep career abilities to the colligate level he could make an immediate impact for Vanderbilt.

Another perspective for Vanderbilt fans to appreciate is Franklin’s class ranking among other SEC teams. For the first time in the recruiting era, Vanderbilt is ranked ahead of teams like Arkansas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and SEC new comer Missouri.

Coming off a 2011 bowl berth and another great recruiting class, Vanderbilt fans have a lot to be excited about in the coming years.

Here’s a list of the 22 Vanderbilt signees:

QB Patton Robinette, 6’5”, 200 pounds, 3-star, Maryville, TN

RB Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie, 5’9”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Natchez, MS

RB Brian Kimbrow, 5’9”, 165 pounds, 4-star, Memphis, TN

WR Cory Batey, 5’11”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Nashville, TN

OT Andrew Jelks, 6’6”, 260 pounds, 4-star, Paris, TN

OT Will Holden, 6’6”, 271 pounds, 3-star, Green Cove Springs, FL

OT Blake Fromang, 6’8”, 280 pounds, 3-star, Orlando, FL

OT Barrett Gouger, 6’4”, 275 pounds, 3-star, Chattanooga, TN

OT Kevin McCoy, 6’5”, 275 pounds, 3-star, Seffner, FL

OG Adam Butler, 6’5”, 285 pounds, 3-star, Duncanville, TX

CB Torren McGaster, 6’0”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Daphne, AL

CB Brandon Banks, 5’11”. 170 pounds, 3-star, Brandywine, MD

SS Paris Head, 5’10”, 170 pounds, 3-star, Buford, GA

DE Ladarius Banks, 6’2”, 263 pounds, 3-star, Dallas, GA

DE Stephen Weatherly, 6’4”, 190 pounds, 3-star, Atlanta, GA

DE Caleb Azubike, 6’5”, 240 pounds, 4-star, Nashville, TN

DE Torey Agee, 6’4”, 250 pounds, 3-star, Opelika, AL

MLB Jakarri Thomas, 6’1”, 195 pounds, 3-star, Tallahassee, FL

MLB Harding Harper, 6’2”, 212 pounds, 3-star, Montgomery, AL

OLB Jacob Sealand, 6’1”, 220 pounds, 3-star, Tucker GA

OLB Darreon Herring, 6’2”, 195 pounds, 3-star, Stone Mountain, GA

*K Colby Cooke, 6’3”, 175 pounds, 3-star, Goochland, GA

* Denotes Grayshirt

How the recruiting services ranked Vanderbilt’s class:

Scout.com No. 44

Rivals.com No. 29

247Sports.com No. 49

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Vanderbilt Recruits Responding to James Franklin’s Pitch

Based off the momentum James Franklin has created for Vanderbilt in recruiting circles, one would think the Commodores are a perennial SEC East powerhouse instead of a program coming off just their fourth bowl game in school history.

Having no previous head coaching experience to help his cause, Franklin hit the recruiting trails in 2011 with little more than a promise of a top notch education and the ability to play in the SEC.

In a few short weeks leading up to National Signing Day, he did the unthinkable, he turn Vanderbilt into a destination school for highly regarded talent and in the process paved the way for the Commodores to be a contender in the SEC East for years to come.

Vanderbilt’s 2011 recruiting class was not on the level of other high profile SEC teams like Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Arkansas but what cannot be denied is the immediate impact Franklin made. He hauled in the two 4-star recruits- quarterback/wide receiver Lafonte Thourogood (Virginia Beach, Virginia) and tight end Dillon van der Wal (Westlake Village, California).

To put this achievement into prospective, Vanderbilt had not signed a 4-star recruit since 2003- tight end Jonathan Loyte (Danvers, Massachusetts).

In the process Vanderbilt posted their first Top 50 recruiting class in over a decade finishing ranked No. 49 (Scout.com).

Still not impressed? Of the 21 recruits Franklin signed 13 were rated as 3-star or better.

How about the fact that Vanderbilt finished the recruiting season ranked ahead of Baylor (50), West Virginia (53), UCLA (55), Maryland (56), Kansas State (61), and Arizona State (64)?

On the field Franklin translated his message into wins. Vanderbilt surpassed the win total of the two previous seasons (four wins) winning six games. Besting teams like Ole Miss, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Wake Forest along the way.

In four heartbreaking losses to Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee by a total of 19 points, Franklin showed they are close to taking the next step he just needs a few more talented players to round out his roster.

2012 is shaping up to be an even better year for the Commodores on the recruiting trail than 2011. Vandy is currently ranked No. 35 according to Scout.com with 21 total recruits verbally committed.

Running back Brian Kimbrow (Memphis, Tennessee) and defensive end Josh Dawson (Tucker, Georgia) are two 4-star recruits highlighting the early recruiting season for Vanderbilt.

Another recruit Commodore fans will be happy to see on campus is kicker Colby Cooke (Goochland, Virginia). Cooke is rated the 16th best place kicker in this year’s senior class. He was awarded spots on Parade Magazine and Sports Illustrated All-American teams after making 17-21 field goal attempts and helping his team advance to the state championship game.

If Vanderbilt’s pledges stay true, nine different states will be represented in this year’s haul.

As the final two weeks of the recruiting season heats up all eyes will be on Franklin hoping he can continue pulling top talent to Nashville.

The following is a complete list of all 21 current verbal commitments:

QB Patton Robinette, 6’5”, 200 pounds, 3-star, Maryville, Tennessee

RB Jaborian McKenzie, 5’9”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Natchez, Mississippi

RB Brian Kimbrow, 5’9”, 165 pounds, 4-star, Memphis, Tennessee

WR Adre McDonald, 6’3”, 210 pounds, 3-star, Minnetonka, Minnesota

WR Cory Batey, 5’11”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Nashville, Tennessee

OT Andrew Jelks, 6’6”, 260 pounds, 3-star, Paris, Tennessee

OT Will Holden, 6’6”, 271 pounds, 2-star, Green Cove Springs, Florida

OT Blake Fromang, 6’8”, 280 pounds, 3-star, Orlando, Florida

OT Barrett Gouger, 6’4”, 275 pounds, 3-star, Chattanooga, Tennessee

OG Adam Butler, 6’5”, 285 pounds, 3-star, Duncanville, Texas

CB Torren McGaster, 6’0”, 180 pounds, 2-star, Daphne, Alabama

CB Brandon Banks, 5’11”. 170 pounds, 3-star, Brandywine, Maryland

SS Paris Head, 5’10”, 170 pounds, 3-star, Buford, Georgia

DE Ladarius Banks, 6’2”, 263, 2-star, Dallas, Georgia

DE Stephen Weatherly, 6’4”, 190 pounds, 2-star, Atlanta, Georgia

DE Josh Dawson, 6’4”, 225 pounds, 4-star, Tucker, Georgia

DE Caleb Azubike, 6’5”, 240 pounds, 3-star, Nashville, Tennessee

DE Torey Agee, 6’4”, 250 pounds, 3-star, Opelika, Alabama

OLB Jacob Sealand, 6’1”, 220 pounds, 3-star, Tucker Georgia

OLB Darreon Herring, 6’2”, 195 pounds, 3-star, Stone Mountain, Georgia

K Colby Cooke, 6’3”, 175 pounds, 2-star, Goochland, Georgia

If Franklin continues to open 4-star and 3-star doors the Commodores will be a team to be reckoned with for years to come.

All commitments are verbal and non-binding.

National Signing Day is February 1. 

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College World Series Updates

The Florida Gators continued the dominance over the Vanderbilt Commodores to earn a berth in the College World Series Friday night in Omaha, Nebraska, winning 6-4. Both teams played hard in a wild offensive game.

Tampa Bay 1^st round draft pick Sonny Gray was roughed up for the second time in the CWS by the Florida Gators for 6 earned runs in 7 innings of work. The Gators collected hits from every starting position player tallying 13 total hits. 4 Gator players had multiple hits; Leadoff hitter SS Nolan Fontana went 2-3 with 2 RBIs, 2B Josh Adams 2-3 with a run scored, RF Daniel Pigott went 2-4 with 2 runs, and 3B Cody Dent 2-2 with 2 runs. The bottom of the Gators order was getting on base and the top of the order was driving them in all night.

Commodores 1B Aaron Westlake jumped on Junior LHP Alex Panteliodis, a 9^th round pick by the New York Mets, for a solo homerun in the 1^st inning. Panteliodis would settle down as he threw 6 strong innings allowing 1 ER and 3 hits for the Gators.

Vanderbilt mounted a comeback in the 7^th inning off Tommy Toledo, 2 ER on 3-hits in .2 innings pitched. At the end of 7 the score was 4-3 Florida. In the top of the 8^th Vanderbilt tied the game at 4 all. Vandy DH Conrad Connor was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the last run of the game for the Commodores.

In the bottom of the 8^th inning Grayson started the inning but Will Clinard came in for relief with the bases loaded. Clinard gave up a Preston Tucker singled, which would prove to be the game winning run, scoring Daniel Pigott. Clinard then threw a wild pitch allowing Cody Dent to score.

Austin Maddox closed out the game for the Gators throwing 1.2 innings of shutout ball to earn the victory.

The Gators (53-17) await the winner of the South Carolina vs. Virginia Cavaliers game in the CWS Championship round. The Championship round begins Monday night at 8:00 p.m. EST. 

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