Ad Disclosure
The Vanderbilt Commodores are looking to take the next step in Derek Mason’s third season as coach. National Signing Day on Wednesdasy offered another opportunity for Mason to put his stamp on the program as he tries to improve upon a 4-8 season in 2015.
Vanderbilt signed 17 players on Wednesday to add to three early-enrollees as part of a 20-player signing class.
LAST-MINUTE ADDITION
With three of the Commodores’ top signees already on campus and little space left in the recruiting class, National Signing Day wasn’t expected to be a day full of surprises for Vanderbilt.
However, Mason did land a final piece to the puzzle with the commitment of three-star DT Josiah Sa’o out of San Diego.
The “21st member” of a 20-man signing class
Vanderbilt also received a commitment from a non-scholarship player on Wednesday, according to Scout’s Chris Smith.
Biloxi (MS) area linebacker Chandler Myers has committed to #Vanderbilt as a preferred walk-on. #Dores #Scout https://t.co/7Gkx6DG8kF
— Chris Smith (@CSmithScout) February 3, 2016
At a small private school with both academic and financial hurdles, securing quality walk-on talent is a little tougher than at other SEC institutions, so that’s actually some good news for the Commodores.
No surprises
Fans always dream of big signing-day flips and dread the possibility of losing an elite talent to a last-second change of heart, but the Commodores were able to keep things on a pretty even keel on Wednesday.
That was in part due to the fact that four-star CB Joejuan Williams and top three-stars QB Deuce Wallace and S Zaire Jones were already on campus.
Mason said having midterm signees Deuce Wallace, Zaire Jones & Joejuan Williams (highly rated players) already on campus eased stress level
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) February 3, 2016
Mason also felt comfortable with the fact that he was signing players that were simply a good fit for both the school and his system, leaving him little reason to worry about their commitment.
Mason: We got people who fit who we are and where we're going
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) February 3, 2016
HARBAUGH CAME CALLING
Mason and Jim Harbaugh may have worked together at Stanford, but that didn’t stop the Michigan coach from trying to raid the Commodores’ signing class in search of a punter.
Sam Loy has been committed to the Commodores since November, but he was receiving lots of pursuit from other interested parties as Wednesday approached.
Mason on Sam Loy: Late, Michigan and some other coaches came in and tried to flip him. Our relationship was strong.
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) February 3, 2016
Vanderbilt was fortunate to stand its ground and sign the talented specialist.
SIGNEES
- Sean Auwae, C, three-star
- Devin Cochran, OT, three-star
- Jackson Winrow, WR, three-star
- Kalija Lipscomb, WR, three-star
- Donaven Tennyson, WR, three-star
- Frank Coppet, CB, three-star
- Jamauri Wakefield, RB, three-star
- Austin Quillen, S, three-star
- Elijah Hamilton, CB, three-star
- Braden Kopp, OT, three-star
- Josiah Sa’o, DT, three-star
- Drew Birchmeier, DT, three-star
- Cameron Todd, DT, three-star
- Turner Cockrell, TE, three-star
- Sam Loy, P, three-star
- Kenny Hebert, LB, two-star
- Andre Mintze, DE, two-star
EARLY ENROLLEES
- Joejuan Williams, CB, four-star
- Deuce Wallace, QB, three-star
- Zaire Jones, S, three-star
Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to recruiting rankings are to the 247Sports.com industry composite ranking.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
