Vanderbilt lands major commitment

Vanderbilt secured a major prize on Wednesday when the Commodores secured a commitment from one of the state's top defensive prospects in Michael Sawyers.

A three-star defensive tackle out of nearby Ensworth announced his decision via Twitter.

"I am officially committed to Vanderbilt University. I'm going to get a world class education, win SEC championships, National Championships, and also be coached by the best D Line coach in the country and head coach . #AnchorDown #615WILDDOGS #DLU." [rl]

Vanderbilt was the very first school to offer Sawyers back in February and was one of the Commodores top overall targets for the 2014 period. He joins fellow four-star level interior prospect Jashon Robertson as future members of a Vanderbilt defensive line that is quickly becoming one of the better units in the highly competitive SEC.

He chose Vanderbilt over many other high-level offers including the likes of Arizona State, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, NC State, Purdue, Tennessee, Washington and Washington State.

As a junior, Sawyers registered 41 tackles with 11 tackles resulting in a loss of 56 yards. He also posted 8 sacks and a forced fumble as the Ensworth Tigers captured its third straight state championship.

Rivals.com currently ranks Sawyers 26th among the nation's defensive tackles. The network also ranks him 11th within the state of Tennessee.

Sawyers becomes the 11th public commitment of Vanderbilt's 2014 class.

VandySports.com plans to have more on Sawyers decision later in the day.