Vandy football recruiting class makes more history - WSMV Channel 4

By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - James Franklin has been promising that he's just getting started at Vanderbilt. Now the coach has followed up the best season since 1915 by landing a recruiting class rated in the top 20 for the first time in the program's history.

Vanderbilt signed 26 players Wednesday, and a final commitment from linebacker Zach Cunningham helped push the Commodores to No. 19 in the ratings by Rivals.com. Even with that success, Vanderbilt still ranks seventh among Southeastern Conference teams and just ahead of Tennessee.

Franklin says the class marks a significant day in Vanderbilt's football history as more proof the Commodores intend to compete at the highest levels.

This class includes 13 on offense, 12 defensive players and a kicking specialist. This group features two quarterbacks with Jordan Rodgers graduating.

Full list of commitments:

Jalen Banks Defensive Back 5'11" 188 Markham, Ill. Thornton Township H.S.

Tre Bell Defensive Back 5'11" 170 Union, N.J. St. Peter's Prep

Nigel Bowden Linebacker 6'1" 245 Macon, Ga. Central H.S.

Oren Burks Linebacker 6'3" 200 Fairfax Station, Va. South County H.S.

Carlos Burse Wide Receiver 6'2" 200 Alpharetta, Ga. Alpharetta H.S.

Delando Crooks Offensive Line 6'5" 275 Atlanta, Ga. Carver H.S.

Jordan Cunningham Wide Receiver 6'1" 175 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. University School

Zach Cunningham Linebacker 6'4" 205 Pinson, Ala. Pinson Valley H.S.

Sean Dowling Offensive Line 6'6" 270 Fallbrook, Calif. Fallbrook Union H.S.

Taurean Ferguson Defensive Back 5'9" 180 Jonesboro, Ga. Jonesboro H.S.

Chad Kanoff Quarterback 6'3" 200 Pacific Palisades, Calif. Harvard-Westlake H.S.

Nathan Marcus Tight End 6'5" 215 Glen Ellyn, Ill. Glenbard West H.S.

Johnny McCrary Quarterback 6'3" 200 Decatur, Ga. Cedar Grove H.S.

Tommy Openshaw Kicker/Punter 6'2" 175 Jacksonville, Fla. Creekside H.S.

Mitchell Parsons Tight End 6'4" 245 Parker, Colo. Chaparral H.S.

Gerald Perry Wide Receiver 5'10" 165 Memphis, Tenn. Whitehaven H.S.

Latevius Rayford Wide Receiver 6'1" 180 Memphis, Tenn. Central H.S.

Darrius Sims Defensive Back 5'9" 175 Memphis, Tenn. Whitehaven H.S.

Landon Stokes Defensive End 6'4" 220 Orlando, Fla. Lake Highland Prep

Brandon Vandenburg Tight End 6'5" 255 Indio, Calif. College of the Desert C.C.

Mack Weaver Defensive End 6'5" 248 Collierville, Tenn. Harding Academy

Ralph Webb Running Back 5'10" 190 Gainesville, Fla. Gainesville H.S.

Ryan White Defensive Back 5'9" 178 Louisville, Ky. Trinity H.S.

DeAndre Woods Wide Receiver 6'3" 208 Clay, Ala. Clay-Chalkville H.S.

Jay Woods Defensive Tackle 6'2" 280 Jackson, Ga. Jackson H.S.

Jonathan Wynn Defensive End 6'4" 220 Stone Mountain, Ga. Stephenson H.S.

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