Vandy lands Florida-based defensive back

Maxwell Worship’s Thursday decision came suddenly. There was no warning and no staged ceremony. There wasn't countdown to a tweet. Instead, his commitment to Vanderbilt came swiftly and suddenly with an online declaration.

Worship expanded on his decision-making process via text following his announcement. The reasons for his commitment, it seems, were simple. They were also things Vandy fans have heard many times before.

‘The degree, the SEC and the chance to help be apart of something on the rise was what did it,” Worship said. “I want to do big things with coach [Derek] Mason.”

It was his relationship with Mason, however, that really sealed the deal. A player such a Worship making the trip from South Florida to Nahsville for four years has to be comfortable with his coach. And that, it seems, is certainly the case here.

I’m closest with Coach Mason,” Worship said. “He can get you fired up and inspired to do anything.”

Worship, who attends Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons High School, is ranked as the No. 47 safety in the class of 2018. He chose The Commodores over offers from Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and others.