2027 4-star LB Omarii Sanders stays home, commits to Vanderbilt: ‘I knew where I wanted to be’

One of the top prospects in the 2027 class is off the board early. Four-star Omarii Sanders, the No. 58 prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking out of Nashville (Tenn.) Franklin Road Academy has committed to Vanderbilt, choosing the Commodores over Georgia, Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M and a long list of national offers.

It’s an early decision, and Sanders won’t sign until this time next year, but after a fast-paced recruitment with close to a dozen visits, the in-state standout felt ready.

“I’ve always planned to get it over with,” Sanders told Rivals. “Going into my senior season, I want to focus on myself and school. This was the right time.”

He found the right time and the right school. Sanders has been on Vanderbilt’s campus three or four times, and each trip strengthened his comfort level with the program.

“You can feel the atmosphere there. The success, the confidence — it’s earned. The campus is excited, game day is great, and it’s a really good environment.

“It was just the best fit for me. Everything lined up — the coaches, the people, the education, the direction of the program.”

There was no single turning point in his recruitment. Instead, the lean toward Vanderbilt built steadily over time.

“It wasn’t one moment,” he said. “It was the relationships with the coaches and getting familiar with the campus. They just kept building and building.

“I went through everything — the pros and cons, all of it. Vanderbilt was the best fit for me and my family. I had that feeling and I knew where I wanted to go a few weeks ago.”

Sanders breaks down why Vanderbilt won out

At the core of Sanders’ decision was head coach Clark Lea and the culture he’s building in Nashville.

“The biggest reason was Coach Lea’s message to the team and how he coaches,” Sanders said. “You can see how together the team is. The culture is close, and the staff is the same way.”

Sanders believes the direction of the program speaks for itself.

“You can see their path. I was at the big game against Alabama last year, and that is when it really started. Now they’re a nationally ranked team, doing good things. I want to be part of that. Coach Lea really knows what he’s talking about and I love how passionate he is.”

Academics added another layer of confidence.

“The education is a big reason,” Sanders said. “A Vanderbilt degree holds a lot of weight.”

Sanders is excited about his future in Nashville

Sanders highlighted his connection with Vanderbilt assistant Jimmy Thompson as one of the strongest in his recruitment.

“Coach Thompson is a great guy,” he said. “We’ve gotten closer the more we talk. He coaches the nickel position and they see me in that role or playing the STAR.”

On the field, Sanders is viewed as a big, physical defender with the ability to cover, tackle, and make plays all over the field.

He believes the culture and identity of Vanderbilt’s rising team match his own mindset.

“It’s definitely a hardworking program. They never give up and play hard. It’s paying off. They’ve all come together, and I can’t wait to go into that and work.”

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