Parsons anchors down at Vandy

Four-star tight end Mitchell Parsons did things in order - short order, but order nevertheless. Parsons visited Vanderbilt over the weekend and made a commitment to the Commodores while on the trip. Then, he took the next logical step. He went shopping.

Hey, a guy's gotta have something to wear.

"I'm in the bookstore picking up some gear right now," Parsons said on Monday. "I just committed. I actually have about 20 more minutes on my official visit, but I just committed. I knew I wanted to do it last week, but I wanted to see everything and talk to Coach (James) Franklin about some stuff."

The chat obviously went well. Parsons pledged his services to Vanderbilt on the spot and immediately started talking Xs and Os. He snagged one of Franklin's now-famous business cards and embarked on a conversation about his football future.

When it comes to Parsons' role in college, there's no guesswork left. He and the program for which he'll suit up already have a plan in place.

"Coach Franklin says he sees me as more of the H-back type," Parsons said. "He wants to line me up in the backfield sometimes and all over. He kept saying all week how much bigger I was than he thought I was and how much bigger and broader I am. Today was the first time we had met in person. He even made a comment today that I was much thicker than he thought I was."

Vanderbilt leapfrogged Ole Miss in the final days of Parsons' recruitment. The Colorado-based prospect himself admits that. For a time, Parsons considered himself a near lock for the Rebels. But as things unfolded, his mind started to shift.

Then, knowing Parsons means knowing his decision was about more than football.

"The education started to sway me a little bit," Parsons said. "I kind of closed off my thoughts on Vanderbilt, to be honest. Then, the education started to reopen things for them. Then, once I met the coaches and got down here … the atmosphere and the surroundings. It's the feeling I get when I'm here. It makes me comfortable."

Parsons, who originally committed to in-state Colorado, claims five scholarship offers in total. As a senior a Parker (Colo.) Chaparral High School, he caught 45 passes for 755 yards and seven touchdowns.