In just the last week, Vanderbilt has flipped two prospects on the 2026 recruiting trail, and could potentially be closing in on a third.
The Commodores extended an offer on October 15 to Dane Bathurst, a 3-Star edge rusher who has been committed to Duke since February of this year. He said in his announcement post, "After a great conversation with [coach Larry Black, Jr.], I am grateful to receive an offer from [Vanderbilt football]."
After a great conversation with @Coach_LBJ_ am very grateful to receive an offer from @VandyFootball !!! #AnchorDown
— Dane (@DaneBathurst3) October 15, 2025
@football_carmel @CoachWright25 @ChadSimmons_ @Andrew_Ivins @On3sports @Dwight_XOS @Andy_Villamarzo @Rivals @SWiltfong_ @EzeObiora2 #theobioramethod pic.twitter.com/tNbcCfViYF
Standing at 6-foot-4, 235 lbs., Bathurst is a physically impressive prospect with excellent traits for either a defensive lineman, or pure pass rusher. This season, as a senior for Carmel High School in Indiana, he's compiled 58 tackles, 11.0 TFL's and six sacks. He's also racked up a whopping six pass deflections from his spot along the defensive front.
He is currently ranked as the No. 80 edge rusher in the nation, and the No. 11 player in the state of Indiana, according to 247Sports' composite ranking. The Indiana native also holds offers from the likes of Appalachian State, Boston College, Louisville, Syracuse and several more.
The Commodores recently lost a commitment from a fellow edge rusher in the 2026 class, 3-Star Joey Quinn, so extending an offer to another player at the position makes sense for the staff, especially considering Bathurst and Quinn have similar body types and skill sets.
Even with the loss of Quinn, the Commodores still hold a top 50 class in the nation with commitments from the likes of 3-Star defensive linemen/edge defenders Jace McCallum and Daryl Campbell.
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