Vandy bringing in a Texas QB for OV, and other recruiting news

[BrentVU]

On Wednesday it looked like half of Vandy's coaching staff was in the DFW area on a home visit to A.J. Newberry... including Earl Bennett. (What was Bennett doing there? Generally only the coaches are allowed to go on the road recruiting.) What's up?

Then on Thursday we learned the Norval McKenzie was leaving for Georgia Tech, and things became clearer. Vandy had two running backs from Texas committed (Sedrick Alexander and Newberry), and is trying to recruit a third, Deago Benson of Midlothian. Reading the tea leaves, the show of force was probably a response to show that Vandy still wants these guys, in spite of the fact that the main guy who had been recruiting them and would be their position coach (McKenzie) was leaving.

Once McKenzie gave his notice, he was quickly removed from VU's NCAA list of official recruiters. Who could be added at such a late date? The answer, evidently, was Bennett.

Here is the status of Vandy's RB recruits:
Sedrick Alexander, Austin-LBJ - solidly committed
A.J. Newberry, South Grand Prairie - solidly committed (apparently)
Deago Benson, Midlothian, TX - anybody's guess! Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Iowa... Boise State?... now Georgia Tech?... playing it close to the vest.
JTrain Louie, Norcross-Meadowcreek, Ga. - will announce on signing day between Vandy, North Carolina and West Virginia; VU losing McKenzie doesn't help.

But all that time in DFW this week evidently has not been wasted. Looks like QB Brennan Storer of Dallas-Highland Park will make an official visit to Vandy this weekend. He had been committed to Western Michigan up until a recent de-commitment, and visited Miami Ohio last weekend. He threw for 3,082 yards and rushed for 531 and was District MVP for a team that went undefeated; 34 TDs, 3 INTs. He's small though, 5-11, 190. He's from the same high school that produced Matthew Stafford.

So, Lea, Simmons & Co. will get a chance to wow him this weekend. Vandy does not have a QB in this class so far.

[Podge91]

That's good film

[VandyManners]

He is small but mobile. You can tell he thrives outside the pocket. Creates on the run. Can be a good thing depending on the offense. Kyler Murray is 5'10", Mahomes is 6'2". I like his athleticism.

[BILTMORE]

Trace McSorely was small and when he verballed to Vandy, I gave him zero chance of being a starting power 5 qb. He was quite effective at PSU.
The spread offense makes the 6'3" + prototype less of a prerequisite in the college game.

C'mon Storer!

[VUaskew]

He's shifty, and shows good arm strength and poise. Looks like Fran Tarkenton out there.

Also, did anyone notice how nice the HS football fields are in Texas? (no, not the Jerry Dome).

[Seadog73]

Doug Flutie was 5'10". He was a pretty fair college QB.

[Podge91]

He made some good throws. That's what I noticed about AJ's film last year. He made throws into traffic or under pressure. That's what a Vanderbilt QB needs to be able to do.

Film that shows long bomb after long bomb just isn't practical. We need QBs who can get it out in a hurry and against close coverage.

[dorelover82]

Good to hear we may have an option. League is tough to keep guys healthy in, so back-up players matter.

[Ndorefin]

Very accurate QB…it’s obvious he played on an unusually, well coached team! Notice the backs picking up blitzes and receivers blocking downfield. Texas football is the real deal!

[AuricGoldfinger]

Also, did anyone notice how nice the HS football fields are in Texas? (no, not the Jerry Dome).

So good the NCAA Division II national championship was played at one this past Saturday (McKinney HS).

[Vandy84]

Second year in a row in McKinney and second win in a row for Ferris State.
Ferris State's QB from the 2021 national championship team is a wide receiver on the Falcons roster and was a freshman starter on Maryland's 2017 national championship lacrosse team.
I believe the game was played in Allen a few years ago.