Sims commits to Vanderbilt

The city of Memphis has been very good to the Vanderbilt football program in recent years. A few years back, VU picked up a pair of Mr.Football winners from the area in future three-time All-SEC linebacker Chris Marve and three-year starting linebacker John Stokes in 2007 and then this February, the Commodores signed one of the state's most exciting players in four-star running back Brian Kimbrow.

Now the program is making Bluff City a regular destination and has secured its third standout from the area with Sunday's commitment of Whitehaven High corner Darrius Sims.

The three-star prospect visited Nashville over the weekend, attending the Commodores annual June Cookout on Saturday and later performing in the Vanderbilt Elite Camp on Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after a strong performance against several FBS level receiver prospects, including three-star standout Juwaan Williams, Sims pledged his services to Commodore head coach James Franklin.

Ranked 34th among the nation's cornerbacks by Rivals.com, Sims has been an outstanding performer during his high school career at Whitehaven, as well as in national and regional camp settings.

As a junior, Sims posted over 30 tackles and seven interceptions for the Tigers on defense and amassing big numbers in all-purpose yardage. Sims play helped lead the Haven to a 14-1 record and trip to the Class 6A state finals. Despite losing to Maryville and current Vanderbilt freshman quarterback Patton Robinette in the title game, Sims still performed well, racking up five tackles as well as 55 yards in the kicking game. The all-around performer also caught eight passes for 90 yards in the loss. He was named first team Class 6A following the season.

As a sophomore, Sims picked off over a handful of passes for the Tigers as Whitehaven went 12-2 and reached the semifinals of the Class 6A state playoffs.

Sims has been a standout on the camp and combine circuit during the last several years. A two-time All-Combine selection at the U.S. Army National Combine, Sims was a standout at the 2012 Rivals.com VTO Camp in Alabama this spring.

The aggressive 5-foot-9, 170-pound defender impressed analysts with his work in press coverage as well as his closing ability down the field. He flashed some of those same skills during Vanderbilt's camp on Sunday.

Sims earned All-Music City honors following Vanderbilt's annual 7-on-7 passing camp last summer and he figures to return to Nashville once again next month to lead the Tigers to a championship.

The versatile athlete also plays basketball and runs track at Whitehaven.

He joins teammate Gerald Perry and Central High receiver Latevius Rayford as commitments from the Memphis area.

He also becomes the third defensive back to commitment to Vanderbilt this recruiting period, joining fellow corner Taurean Ferguson and safety Malik Greaves.

Sims is ranked as the 11th player in the state of Tennessee according to Rivals.com.