UPDATE: A look at Vandy's recruiting class after Brian Kimbrow, Caleb Azubike and Cory Batey commit

Maybe you heard that three high school football players from Tennessee called a press conference and committed to Vandy.

One of them, Brian Kimbrow of Memphis (pictured here), runs a 4.2 40, is commonly regarded as the fastest man in high school football, and is the nation’s second-ranked all-purpose back. No kidding.

The other two are Caleb Azubike of Nashville, whom Rivals ranks as the 21st-best weakside defensive end, and Cory Batey of Nashville, who runs a 4.4 40 and is a 3-star wide receiver according to Rivals.

There are rumors that others will be hot on their heels, even some guys from out of state, which certainly makes sense.

Some initial thoughts:

Is Vandy really getting the fastest kid in America? This is the kind of blue-chip recruit we’ve never gotten before, and his presence will likely trigger commitments from a bunch of other top-notch recruits currently considering Vanderbilt.

How do all these defensive ends stack up against each other? ESPN likes Weatherly the best and gives him 4 stars, followed by 3 stars for everybody else with Dawson ranked highest, followed by Griffin then Azubike then Banks. Rivals gives everybody 3 stars, with Weatherly as a linebacker and Banks as a tackle; Azubike as the best weakside end, followed by Dawson; and Griffin as a strongside end. Scout gives Dawson 4 stars, Azubike 3 stars and everybody else 2 stars.

How does Batey rate as a wide receiver? Not among the nation’s best. He gets three stars from Rivals, who gives lots of people 3 stars, but isn’t ranked at receiver by any of the services we mention. But he’s got speed and people who’ve seen him say he’s the real deal. Though he's probably our lowest rated recruit at this point, he’d also be an important one because we really, really need wide receivers. And remember that this time last year Jordan Matthews had only one 3-star rating, also from Rivals, and wasn’t ranked at receiver by anybody.


If you’re interested, here’s some more information on all the commitments, including the new guys:

1. BRIAN KIMBROW, RB/ATH
5-9, 165
ESPN: 4 stars, 80 rating, #20 athlete
Rivals: 4 stars, 5.9 rating, #2 all-purpose back
Scout: 4 stars, #20 running back

2. JACOB SEALAND, ILB/OLB
6-2, 220
ESPN: 4 stars, 79 rating, #15 inside linebacker
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.7 rating, #18 inside linebacker
Scout: 3 stars, #62 outside linebacker

3. JOSH DAWSON, DE
6-4, 225
ESPN: 3 stars, 79 rating, #43 defensive end
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.7 rating, #30 weakside defensive end
Scout: 4 stars, #27 defensive end

4. DARREON HERRING, OLB
6-2, 205
ESPN: 4 stars, 79 rating, #28 outside linebacker
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.7 rating, #42 outside linebacker
Scout: 3 stars, #72 outside linebacker

5. CALEB AZUBIKE, DE
6-5, 240
ESPN: 3 stars, 76 rating, #102 defensive end
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.7 rating, #21 weakside defensive end
Scout: 3 stars, unranked defensive end

6. STEPHEN WEATHERLY, DE/OLB
6-5, 197
ESPN: 4 stars, 79 rating, #23 defensive end
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.6 rating, unranked outside linebacker
Scout: 2 stars, unranked defensive end

7. BARRETT GOUGER, OT
6-5, 285
ESPN: 3 stars, 78 rating, #66 offensive tackle
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.6 rating, #76 offensive tackle
Scout: 3 stars, #86 offensive tackle

8. LADARIUS BANKS, DE/DT
6-2, 265
ESPN: 3 stars, 75 rating, #127 defensive end
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.5 rating, unranked defensive tackle
Scout: 2 stars, unranked defensive end

9. PARIS HEAD, CB/S
6-1, 170
ESPN: no stars, 45 rating, unrated cornerback
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.6 rating, #53 cornerback
Scout: 2 stars, unranked safety

10. TRE GRIFFIN, DE
6-2, 235
ESPN: 3 stars, 77 rating, #82 defensive end
Rivals: no stars, unrated, unranked strongside defensive end
Scout: 2 stars, unranked defensive end

11. CORY BATEY, WR
6-1, 184
ESPN: no stars, 45 rating, unranked wide receiver
Rivals: 3 stars, 5.5 rating, unranked wide receiver
Scout: 2 stars, unranked