After spending most of the spring without a single prospect in his Class of 2017, Derek Mason now has two future Commodores signed up this summer. Three-star linebacker Colin Anderson became the latest recruit to commit to Vanderbilt. He announced his decision through Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.
I'm immensely thankful for the opportunities afforded to me through football. Proud to say that I'm committed to Vanderbilt! ⚓
— Colin Anderson (@Da_Bubblez) June 21, 2016
The 6'2, 210-pound outside linebacker chose Vandy over offers that spanned from the Ivy League to the Big Ten. He turned down overtures from teams like Harvard, Yale, Michigan, Arkansas, South Carolina, Iowa, California, and Tennessee to give Mason his bond.
The Killen, Alabama native is a consensus three-star prospect, but he's primed for the kind of senior season that could make him a standout member of Vanderbilt's Class of 2017. He's got strong tackling instincts and squares up to ballcarriers well -- though he'll have to add some muscle to be an effective tackler against SEC opponents. He's also a very fast linebacker with high level skills in pursuit, so expect to see him chasing down quarterbacks from behind at Dudley Field. His ability to get downfield in a hurry should make him an excellent candidate for a pass rushing spot in Mason's 3-4 defense.
Here's his junior season highlight reel, courtesy of Hudl.
The Commodores' recruiting class now stands at two, but it appears Anderson and three-star quarterback commit Jacob Free are already familiar with each other.
Welcome to the family #GoldRush17 https://t.co/oKAxSZl4ht
— Jacob Free (@jacob_free) June 21, 2016