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The facts are the facts. After reaching the Music City Bowl in 2008, the Vanderbilt Commodore football team has had back to back 2-10 seasons.
To most college football fans, today's announcement by 2012 football recruits Brian Kimbrow, Caleb Azubike and Cory Batey of their commitment to James Franklin and Vandy has to seem strange (Heather, of WNML's prestigious and nationally-recognized (?) "Doc, Jeff & Heather Show" famously proclaimed "that is just...crazy." Always the wordsmith, that Heather.)
Some kids are followers. They commit to a school with an established history, content to carry on the traditions established by those that came before them. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that philosophy. It generally works out well for those kids.
Some guys are just different. They want to blaze their own trails and be the ones that made a lasting impact on the direction of a program.
Today, Brian Kimbrow, Caleb Azubike and Cory Batey made the choice to be bold.
You could also classify James Franklin's class to date as "bold." Four four-star recruits already (ESPN ratings; Vandy had no recruits rated at four stars by ESPN the previous two years). This ride's just getting started.
Will be consensus top 25 soon. RT @anchorofgold: @Commostar_7 @kippladams ESPN must have jumped the gun. 24th overall!! http://t.co/PnRugsp
2012 Recruits (to be updated later)
Name | POS | 247 | ESPN | Rivals | Scout |
Josh Dawson | WDE | *** 89 | *** 79 | *** 5.7 | **** |
Darreon Herring | OLB | *** 84 | **** 79 | *** 5.7 | *** |
Jacob Sealand | ILB | *** 83 | **** 79 | *** 5.7 | *** |
Paris Head | CB | *** 82 | NR (45) | *** 5.6 | ** |
Barrett Gouger | OT | *** 80 | *** 78 | *** 5.6 | *** |
Ladarius Banks | DT | NR | *** 75 | *** 5.5 | ** |
Tre Griffin | WDE | NR | *** 77 | NR | ** |
Stephen Weatherly | WDE | NR | **** 79 | *** 5.6 | ** |
Brian Kimbrow | RB | **** 94 #128 | **** 80 | **** 5.9 #80 | **** |
Caleb Azubike | WDE | *** 86 | *** 76 | *** 5.7 | *** |
Cory Batey | WR | *** 88 | NR (45) | *** 5.5 | ** |