Dallas area recruits like what Vanderbilt has to offer

FORT WORTH -- The resurgence of Vanderbilt football is far from over.

Despite falling out of the polls for the first time in a month following last week's 24-14 loss to Georgia, the Commodores are still in position to capture their first bowl bid in 26 seasons. And current recruiting targets are starting to take notice.

Vanderbilt has already secured commitments from top-flight defensive prospects in nearby states like Alabama in defensive tackle Darrius McMullin (Hoover Spain Park) and Georgia in Blake Southerland (Atlanta Norcross Christian), but its biggest coup may be in the Lone Star State. Highly-regarded offensive standouts starting to seriously look at the Commodores as well include Houston quarterback Kolby Gray (Cy Falls) and Austin receiver Emory Blake (Austin High).

Getting recruits like Gray and Blake to take notice in Vanderbilt opened the eyes of Argyle wide receiver Brady Brown. Brown, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound standout from the Dallas/Fort Worth hotbed of talent, committed to play for the Commodores before the start of the season and said the quality of head coach Bobby Johnson's recruits was a big reason why.

"I've always been a big fan of [playing in] the South and the SEC and Vanderbilt is competing in the SEC," Brown said. "I think Vanderbilt is getting a lot of good talent in this recruiting class and I think it's going to be a great place to play."

Brown chose the Commodores over offers from Nebraska, Kansas, Virginia and Stanford. He said he likes what he's seen so far from the team this season and isn't about to ruffle feathers to get on the field next season.

"The coaches said I have a good chance to get on the field and play as a freshman, but we'll just have to see how it works out. I'm not going to rush it," Brown said.

Patience is a virtue that the small-school standout exhibits at all times. Brown caught 97 passes for more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, but believes he's far from a finished product. 

"Route running, quickness, catching ... I just want to catch the ball as much as I can to get better," Brown said.

Despite playing at a Class 3A school, Brown's production ranks among the top 10 in all area leaders this season with 49 catches for 660 yards and eight touchdowns. And it's those impressive numbers and untapped potential that have some scouts ranking the receiver as Vanderbilt's top commitment to date.

But that could change with the addition of another heralded defensive prospect from the D-FW area.

Defensive back Eddie Foster (Colleyville Heritage) is taking a real hard look at the Commodores and their rising stature in the SEC. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound all-district candidate said Vanderbilt is among his top three choices, ranking along the same lines as Ole Miss and Iowa State.

Foster isn't naming a front-runner yet, but said he liked what he saw on his visit to Ames earlier this month and the track record that head coach Gene Chizik brings to the table. Yet playing in the SEC is something that he's always dreamed about, which is why the Rebels and Commodores rank at the top of schools he'd like to visit.

"I haven't really scheduled it out cause it kind of conflicts with the season and playing on Friday night and getting a flight out on Saturday is kind of hard to work out," Foster said. "I do plan on going to Vanderbilt soon ... right now I'm focused on the season."

Colleyville Heritage played top-ranked Euless Trinity to the wire a few weeks ago, so Foster likes his team's chances at a deep playoff run. He's been a big part of the Panthers success to date, hauling in 12 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns as a fourth receiver, and playing his usual lock-down defense opposite the opponent's top receiver. 

Foster's 10 pass deflections lead the team and his ability to deliver big hits shows he can be physical at the next level and especially in the SEC.

"I think I'll be able to [play physical]," Foster said. "I think if they coach me up right I'll be able to adapt and make big plays in college too." 

And just in case he doesn't become the big-time defensive star he envisions, Foster said "a Vanderbilt degree would really mean something" out in the real world.

Date of Article: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:42 am

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