Derek Mason, Vanderbilt score big-time commitment from Texas LB Alston Orji

It’s not everyday you see Vanderbilt dipping down into Texas and landing a commitment from one of the country’s elite linebackers.

That’s what happened Tuesday night, as 4-star inside linebacker Alston Orji committed to the Commodores over offers from Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, UCLA and others. That’s a huge recruiting win for Derek Mason and his staff.

Orji released the news from his Twitter account Tuesday night.

#Dynamite18 My new home for the next 4 years🙌🏾💯Will be a Commodore🐦 pic.twitter.com/R5bokszFmj

— Alston Chizoba Orji (@_TheAOrji_) May 24, 2017

Orji is rated as the country’s No. 178 prospect overall, the No. 7 inside linebacker and the state of Texas’ No. 21 overall prospect, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. The Rockwall, Texas, native is listed at 6-foot-2, 223 pounds, and he’s a bruiser.

It’s easy to be impressed with Orji’s size, speed and athleticism. He and his family toured Vanderbilt’s campus in March.

Orji recorded 58 tackles during his junior season, and he became the Commodores’ fourth commitment for the class of 2018.

Here are his junior season highlights:

Kevin Duffey

A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.