Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Vandy Picks Up Two More 3-Star Commits

Following the footsteps of the likes of LaFonte Thourogood and Dillon van der Wal, RB Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie (Natchez, MS) decommitted from Southern Miss and verbally committed to the Commodores yesterday evening.  McKenzie (5'9", 180) is listed at a 4.39 and is a 3-star prospect according to Rivals, Scout, and 247 Sports.  Every Vandy fan has to like what he had to say when asked about his decision:
“I just thought Vanderbilt had a  lot more to offer.  Southern Miss is a good school with a great coaching staff.  But playing for Vanderbilt  gives me a chance to play for an SEC championship and maybe even a national championship.”
The Dores also secured their 15th commitment of the 2012 class with CB Brandon Banks (Brandywine, MD).  Banks checks in at 5'11", 170, and has been clocked at a 4.30.  Scout ranks him as a top-50 corner in this year's class, and both Rivals and 247 have him as a 3-star.

7 comments:

AD said...

Banks is from MD-- maybe CJF has had his eye on him for a while?

Also, Clay Travis' new site ranks Vandy 7th in recruiting: http://www.outkickthecoverage.com/outkickthecoverages-2012-sec-recruiting-class-rankings.php

Andrew Smith said...

15 commitments out of how many that we're aiming for?

Any stats yet on where our class is ranking nationally? Have we finally secured a top 25 class assuming they all follow through and come to Vandy?

Seamus O'Toole said...

Way too early to put any real stock in the rankings or try to assess where we will ultimately land on signing day because so much can and will happen between now and February. That said, the early returns are promising: Scout currently ranks our class at #30 in the nation (#7 SEC), Rivals has us at #42 overall (#9 SEC), and ESPN ranks Vandy's class at #23 (#7 SEC).

Again, take it with a grain of salt, but not a bad start. The key now is to regain some momentum heading into the season after hitting a lull over the past few weeks and losing (for now at least) a few battles for top-flight talent. But you know at this point the coaches have shifted their focus to getting the team ready for this season. Practice starts Friday...

tyler s said...

I love this kid's optimism...

"But playing for Vanderbilt gives me a chance to play for an SEC championship and maybe even a national championship"

Anonymous said...

Wait, no mention of the 6'4" kicker we just pulled in?

http://rivals.yahoo.com/vanderbilt/football/recruiting/player-Colby-Cooke-123355

Impeccable special teams is where Vandy's bread needs to be buttered.

Seamus O'Toole said...

Cooke's grayshirting and will start at Vandy in the spring semester of 2013, so he's not really part of the 2012 class. Having said that, if someone knows whether the new SEC signing rules make what I just said inaccurate, please correct me. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2011/aug/02/goochlands-cooke-grayshirt-vanderbilt-ar-1213597/

Anonymous said...

Am I alone in thinking these 40 times may be a little optimistic?

OTOH, I think 40 times are also overrated, but still...