NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt football program added five signees on Wednesday, completing the first full recruiting class under head coach Clark Lea.
The February commitments included offensive tackle Leyton Nelson (Orlando, Fla./Boone), tight end Andrew Paige (Goodlettsville, Tenn./Beech), quarterback Walter Taylor (Jackson, Ala./Jackson), defensive back Jeffrey Ugochukwu (Richmond, Texas/George Ranch) and cornerback Jameson Wharton (Hendersonville, Tenn./Hendersonville). Since the December 2021 early signing day, the Commodores also added linebacker Daniel Martin (Marietta, Ga./Marietta) who signed in December and announced his commitment while playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 8.
The full signing class ranks as one of the best in program history, rated No. 23 by 247Sports, No. 29 by Rivals, No. 30 by ESPN and No. 31 by the 247Sports Composite and On3. The class ranks among the top three in program history in several categories from Rivals and 247Sports.
- Highest rated class by 247Sports (No. 23)
- Second-highest rated class in 247Sports Composite (No. 31)
- Highest average rating in 247Sports Composite (86.34)
- Second-highest rated class by Rivals (No. 33)
- Highest total score by Rivals (1,575)
- Third-highest average star ranking by Rivals (2.96)
The class includes four players who have achieved a four-star rating from at least one recruiting service — Martin (247Sports, Rivals & On3), quarterback AJ Swann (Rivals & On3), safety Ja’Dais Richard (247Sports) and edge Darren Agu (On3). It also includes four players from the Nashville area in offensive tackle Grayson Morgan (Montgomery Bell Academy), Paige (Beech), linebacker Langston Patterson (Christ Presbyterian Academy) and Wharton (Hendersonville).
Seven members of the class have enrolled at Vanderbilt and will participate in spring practice. That group includes Maurice Edwards, Quantaves Gaskins, Martin, Jayden McGowan, Steven Sannieniola, David Siegel and Swann.
Season tickets for the 2022 Vanderbilt football season are on sale now. The Commodores open the season Aug. 27 at Hawai’i before the home opener Sept. 3 versus Elon. In addition to the Phoenix, Vandy will host Wake Forest, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of Vanderbilt Stadium this fall.
Note: Recruiting class rankings as of Thursday, Feb. 3 (9 a.m. CT).
