Here's who Vanderbilt football added on the first day of the early signing period

Vanderbilt football kicked off a new early signing period Wednesday, an event previously held in February.

Here are the Commodores' confirmed signees so far:

Deshaun Jerkins 

S, 6-0, 195

Woodbridge (Va.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 41 safety

Commit date: June 23

Twitter handle: @DjFlatOut

The final word: Vanderbilt safeties Ryan White and Arnold Tarpley graduated, so there are snaps for young defensive backs to claim. Jerkins’ chances to play early may be a little better than other defensive back signees because he has versatility. Jerkins can play cornerback, safety or nickelback. He certainly could see the field on special teams as a freshman.

Alston Orji 

ILB, 6-2, 230

Rockwall (Texas)

247 composite: 4-star, No. 10 ILB

Commit date: May 23

Twitter handle: @_TheAOrji_

The final word: Orji is a big get for the Commodores. Ranked as a top-10 prospect at his position by 247 Sports and Rivals, Orji has a college-ready physique. He is a strong run-stopper with 19.5 tackles-for-loss in his senior season, but he will need time to develop his pass coverage skills. Orji chose Vanderbilt over offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M among others.

Elijah McAllister 

OLB, 6-6, 230

Rumson Fair Haven (Rumson, N.J.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 27 SDE

Commit date: Unknown

Twitter handle: @e_mcallister1

The final word: McAllister played tight end, wide receiver and defensive end during his high school career, which was derailed by knee injuries as a junior. Long term, he may fit best at outside linebacker in coach Derek Mason’s 3-4 scheme. McAllister has good athleticism and tremendous length. He chose Vanderbilt over Michigan State, Tennessee and Boston College among others. 

Camron Johnson

WR, 6-1, 182

Brentwood Academy

247 composite: 4-star, No. 42 WR

Commit date: June 16

Twitter handle: @camjohnson_23

The final word: One of the gems of Vanderbilt’s class, Johnson is a polished wide receiver. He was a Division II-AAA Mr. Football finalist and won three straight state titles at Brentwood Academy. Johnson had 170 catches for more than 3,000 yards and 34 TDs in his career. He should have a chance for immediate playing time after Trent Sherfield, C.J. Duncan and Caleb Scott graduated.

Brendon Harris 

S, 6-1, 205

Baylor (Chattanooga)

247 composite: 4-star, No. 23 safety

Commit date: Oct. 24

Twitter handle: @brendonharris02

The final word: Harris de-committed from Tennessee in October. He posted 167 tackles and five interceptions in the past two seasons at Baylor, and opposing offenses seldom tested him on deep balls. Harris will play safety for the Commodores, who have a need at that position after Ryan White and Arnold Tarpley graduated.

Gavin Schoenwald

TE, 6-5, 225

Brentwood Academy

247 composite: 3-star, No. 25 TE

Commit date: June 15

Twitter handle: @g_schoenwald10

More:I'm Gavin Schoenwald: This is why I chose Vanderbilt

The final word: During Brentwood Academy’s three consecutive state title runs, Schoenwald played tight end and quarterback. This season he passed for 1,494 yards and 17 TDs, many of them to fellow Vanderbilt signee Camron Johnson. As a junior, Schoenwald had 34 receptions for 329 yards and four TDs. It may take a little time for him to re-adjust to tight end. But once he does that, Schoenwald should be a good fit in an offense that utilizes multiple tight ends.

C.J. Bolar 

WR, 6-2, 186

Purvis (Miss.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 108 WR

Commit date: Dec. 10

Twitter handle: @c1bolar

The final word: Previously an Iowa State commitment, Bolar ultimately chose Vanderbilt over Louisville and a few other schools. He’s a skilled route-runner with good hands. Will that be enough to break into the lineup as a freshman? Bolar will get a head start as a January enrollee. With three Vanderbilt wideouts recently graduating, immediate help is needed in the receiving corps.

Allan Walters

QB, 6-1, 200

Peddie School (Hightstown, N.J.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 19 QB

Commit date: Dec. 16, 2016

Twitter handle: @awalters_jr

More:How Vanderbilt football pulled off summer surge in recruiting

The final word: Walters was Vanderbilt’s first commitment more than a year ago, and he worked tirelessly as an unofficial recruiter to help build this signing class. Walters passed for 2,266 yards, 31 TDs and four interceptions in nine games as a senior. His success is more imperative now that quarterback Jacob Free, last year’s top signee for Vanderbilt, left the program. With Kyle Shurmur playing one more season, Walters could be competing with Deuce Wallace for the starting job as early as 2019. 

Dan Dawkins 

C, 6-3, 296

Peddie School (Hightstown, N.J.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 11 center

Commit date: March 30

Twitter handle: N/A

More:Fishing helps Vanderbilt hook two top recruits

The final word: Dawkins’ signing could be pivotal down the line. Current center Bruno Reagan has one more season remaining, and backup Sean McMoore still has work to do to prove he can take over that position. Dawkins would be the next option at center, perhaps as early as the 2019 season. Dawkins, a high school teammate of Vanderbilt quarterback signee Allan Walters, is highly-touted. Rivals even ranked him as the No. 3 center nationally in this class. He turned down earlier offers from Michigan and Virginia.

Wyatt Smock

OG, 6-4, 290

St. Xavier (Louisville)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 46 OG

Commit date: June 21

Twitter handle: @WyattSmock

The final word: Smock has good size, which should transition well to the interior line at the college level. His agility is also above average for his big frame. Smock brings good run-blocking technique to Vanderbilt, which struggled to open holes last season. His high school coach was former Vanderbilt star lineman and NFL veteran Will Wolford. Smock should take a redshirt as a freshman as most offensive linemen do.

Ja'Veon Marlow

RB, 5-10, 200

Winter Haven (Fla.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 59 RB

Commit date: July 9

Twitter handle: @JaveonMarlow

The final word: Marlow dominated most opponents in a low classification in Florida, rushing for 1,367 yards and 15 TDs while averaging 8 yards per carry. Marlow also had offers from Missouri, Purdue and North Carolina among others. Vanderbilt has pretty good options at running back, especially with Illinois transfer Ke’Shawn Vaughn becoming eligible. But Marlow is a good pickup.

Tre Douglas

CB, 6-2, 180

Eagles Landing (McDonough, Ga.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 39 CB

Commit date: June 22

Twitter handle: @tredough8

The final word: What Douglas lacks in coverage technique he makes up for in physicality. He could be a little raw early on, but his ceiling is high at cornerback. His 6-foot-2 frame fits the height and length that coach Derek Mason wants at that position. Plus, he's a winner, as part of three state titles and a 36-game winning streak. Vanderbilt must replace graduated cornerbacks Tre Herndon and Taurean Ferguson, so Douglas could get his chance early.

Maxwell Worship

S, 6-1, 198

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 71 safety

Commit date: June 29

Twitter handle: N/A

The final word: Worship is part of a recruiting class heavy on defensive backs because Vanderbilt graduated some key performers in its secondary. He could see early snaps on special teams and perhaps compete at safety. Worship is the third Vanderbilt player signed from Cardinal Gibbons in the past two years, joining wide receiver James Bostic and defensive back Randall Haynie. Worship also had offers from Kansas, North Carolina State and Cincinnati. 

Javan Rice

PK, 6-3, 190

Belen Jesuit (Miami)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 15 PK

Commit date: June 16

Twitter handle: @JavanRice

The final word: There’s not a lot of background available on kickers, but Rice steps into a good situation to play. He made 39-of-40 PATs, touts 50-yard field-goal range and will enroll in January to go through spring practice. Four-year starter Tommy Openshaw must be replaced, and Ryley Guay is the only other placekicker on Vanderbilt’s roster.

Ben Bresnahan

TE, 6-5, 225

West Forsyth (Cumming, Ga.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 33 TE

Commit date: June 14

Twitter handle: @benbresnahan

The final word: Vanderbilt loves tight ends more than most SEC programs, but it’s a little thin on proven performers at that position. Bresnahan is an athletic pass-catching tight end with 112 receptions and 13 TDs over the past two seasons. He should fit the Commodores’ mold at that position as a receiver, but his ability to block may determine his playing time. Bresnahan will be a January enrollee, giving him valuable extra practice time in the spring.

Rutger Reitmaier 

DL, 6-3, 270

Oregon transfer (Lipscomb Academy)

Commit date: Oct. 11    

Twitter handle: @ReitmaierRutger

More:Former Oregon Duck Rutger Reitmaier announces he's transferring to Vanderbilt

The final word: Reitmaier, a former four-star prospect, signed with Oregon in February, but he announced in July that he was leaving the Ducks. Reitmaier did not play at Oregon, so he will be eligible immediately to play at Vanderbilt. The Commodores struggled to stop the run last season, so Reitmaier could quickly earn a spot in the rotation on the defensive line.

Tyler Steen

DL, 6-5, 300

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

247 composite: 3-star, No. 104 OT

Commit date: Dec. 20

Twitter handle: @ZzTylerZ00

The final word: Originally committed to Louisville as a defensive end, Steen has been recruited by numerous schools as both an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. For now, Vanderbilt lists him as a defensive lineman, but don’t be surprised if that changes.
 

Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.