Vanderbilt lands another commitment

James Franklin stressed the importance of being aggressive on the recruiting trail when he was hired in early December and that aggression appears to be working for the new Vanderbilt head coach as the Commodores have received their fourth verbal in the last three days. The newest addition is former Maryland commitment Larry Mazyck.

According to a report in the Baltimore Sun, the 6-foot-7, 320-pound three-star offensive tackle out of the Fork Union Military Academy pledged to Vanderbilt shortly after things between the prospect and Maryland fell through. VandySports.com confirmed the decision on Tuesday morning as well.

"They've decided to go in a different direction," Fork Union coach Micky Sullivan told the Sun on Tuesday. "He committed to Vanderbilt."

Mazyck made a surprise visit to Vanderbilt last weekend, joining many of the Commodores current verbal commitments as well as top targets. He's the fourth of the targets to make a pledge to Vanderbilt since Sunday morning.

A relative newcomer to the game, Mazyck was a basketball player until his junior year at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington D.C. Blessed with great natural size, athletic feet, and pro level length, Mazyck instantly rose as a dominating starter at Friendship, earning scholarships from Maryland and New Mexico. Though a bit raw, he impressed many at the MdHigh Elite showcase last February. He committed to Maryland later in March.

Mazyck transferred to FUMA's high school in the summer in order further develop himself as a student and football player. On the gridiron, Mazyck helped the Blue Devils to a 7-5 season that ended with a Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state championship.

"At the end of the year, he certainly got better," Sullivan told the Sun recently. "In the state championship game, he made two or three great plays at the end of the ball game, which really helped us win the state championship."

In addition to his obvious physical tools, Mazyck is known for playing with a tough demeanor and nasty streak. He has also reportedly carries a 3.0 GPA at FUMA.

He joins an already promising group of offensive linemen that include fellow three-star tackles James Lewis and Spencer Pulley as well as guards Jake Bernstein and Jose Valedon.