CPA's Jay Hockaday picks Vanderbilt, drops Colorado

Vanderbilt picked up a late addition from its own backyard heading into signing day.

Christ Presbyterian Academy's Jay Hockaday switched his commitment from Colorado to Vanderbilt on Tuesday, saying "Vandy was the only school that would've changed my mind."

Hockaday, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound three-star prospect, played running back and linebacker last season. He was a key part in the Lions' 15-0 record and Class 3A state title run, leading the team in rushing (124 yards) and tackles (12) in the championship game win over Alcoa to earn offensive MVP honors.

Hockaday is among five Midstate players on Vanderbilt's commitment list thus far, joining Oakland linebacker Josh Smith, Ensworth cornerback Donovan Sheffield, Father Ryan safety Andrew Rector and Station Camp tight end Kyle Anderton.

Hockaday, the son of former Brentwood Academy star and Georgia wide receiver Jimmy Hockaday, said Vanderbilt offered him a scholarship as an "athlete," but he probably will play linebacker.

Hockaday played two seasons at CPA after transferring from Davidson Academy. On offense, he racked up 1,648 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns, mostly at running back. He also had 324 passing yards and eight touchdowns at quarterback. He had 190 tackles in two seasons at linebacker, including 95 takedowns as a senior.

Hockaday also placed sixth in the state track meet in the discus.

"Jay is a tremendous athlete," CPA coach Ingle Martin said. "Like most Division I recruits, he could've played at just about any position in high school. He played some DB early on. He would've been one of the best quarterbacks in the state as a senior, but we mostly used him at running back and linebacker for his senior year. He's still growing, and in time he'll be a 235-pound athlete that can run around the field wherever you put him."

Hockaday said he already felt a close connection to Vanderbilt while growing up in the Nashville area.

"Vanderbilt is where I always saw myself going," Hockaday said. "I have been to a ton of Vandy games and been around Vandy my whole life — baseball, basketball, football."

Hockaday would be the 17th member of Vanderbilt's 2015 recruiting class, including 16 commitments and one mid-term signee (junior-college defensive end/outside linebacker Nehemiah Mitchell).

Vanderbilt will hold its signing day press conference at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Its public signing day celebration will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the on-campus Student Life Center, where coach Derek Mason and position coaches will discuss each signee.

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.