Vanderbilt lands athletic DB Marlen Sewell
THE SITUATION: Irondale (Ala.) Shades Valley senior Marlen Sewell picked up an offer from Vanderbilt November 26, and within 24 hours, he was committed to the Commodores.
The 6-foot, 185 pound defensive back could be one of the top signees in this class when all is said and done. Derek Mason has been let go, so whoever the new head coach is in Nashville, they are getting a good.
At one time, it looked like Sewell was on the verge of committing to Texas Tech, then Kansas had his attention, but in the end, he felt best about the SEC program in Nashville.
Vanderbilt offered the combination of academics and athletics.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: "It was pretty easy for me to commit to Vanderbilt because I was waiting on this offer," said Sewell. "They had been recruiting me for a while, so I knew when they offered that I was going to commit.
"The education is the top thing that stands out about Vanderbilt. My mom always taught me that I have to have a back-up plan for after football. Vanderbilt offers a great education. Then it is three hours from home, it is an SEC school, the coaches are great — I am just happy.
"I committed to coach Aaron Henry. He was [the coach] recruiting me, then he is the coach that offered me, so we talked again Friday night when he was at the team hotel. He didn't know at first that I was going to commit on that call. We talked about doing the virtual tour when they got back, we talked about the school, then I started telling him how I feel about the school. After that, I told him I wanted to commit and he was happy for me. He talked to me about my enthusiasm, how I am the type of play they need and things like that.
"It honestly feels great to commit to Vanderbilt. I grew up an SEC fan, and with it being such a crazy year, this decision makes me and my family so happy. I know they want me, I know they offer a lot, and I know I can go there, play, get a great education and be happy. I didn't know what was going to happen with all this crazy stuff going on in recruiting due to the coronavirus, so to be committed to Vanderbilt makes me so happy."
RIVALS REACTION: Vanderbilt may have just stolen this one. Sewell is a very athletic defensive back with length and upside. He is a cornerback first, but he is versatile and could play the STAR position or free safety in Nashville. In a normal year, when coaches are on the road to get evaluations in the spring, Sewell would have at least double the offers he finished with. His best football is ahead of him. He has a great frame, he is athletic, he is fluid and he is one Vanderbilt fans may see on the field next year.