4-star LB Daniel Martin commits to Vanderbilt over FSU and Oregon

Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt Commodores want to build a winner on the field, and they know to do that, they must have success recruiting the state of Georgia.

They landed a big target Saturday at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio when four-star linebacker Daniel Martin committed.

Martin is a 6-foot-3, 187-pound athlete that is the No. 258 prospect in the On3 Consensus. He chose Vanderbilt over Florida State and Oregon.

“After my official visits, I knew Vanderbilt was the school,” Martin told On3. “The answers to many of the questions I had for both schools, the answers I was given, and how I was treated overall put Vanderbilt on top.”

Martin expanded on that.

“The relationships, the transparency, and when looking at a 40-year plan, it only made sense that it be Vanderbilt. The education that I’m going to receive is the best.

“Those were some of the big reasons I chose Vanderbilt.”

The relationships he built with the staff in Nashville played a role in his decision. John Egorugwu was the lead recruiter for Martin, but each coach that came in contact with Martin from Vanderbilt let it be known he was important.

“I’m really big on relationships. My relationship with everyone was transparent. When the staff at Vanderbilt made an effort to get to know me as a person outside of football, that was important.

“I’m not a big talker and some people take that the wrong way, Vanderbilt didn’t. I’m different, and they took a different approach in recruiting me and I appreciate that.

“Coach Smoke (Director of Recruiting) pulled me to the side at a visit and we had a really long but good conversation. After that, things went in a different direction.”

Martin likes the direction of the Vanderbilt program under Lea

Lea is entering his second season as the head coach at Vanderbilt. He is from Nashville, he played Vanderbilt, and he wants to turn things around at his alma mater.

Martin is a believer.

“Coach Lea is different,” Martin said. “He’s building something different and it starts with relationships. During many conversations with coaches over the past few years, coach Lea’s message was different.

“He was realistic about the program today, but he has a solid plan on turning the program around. He holds everyone accountable. I saw first-hand how he respects and appreciates his players and staff.

“‘Opportunity is not the Outcome’ is a quote from coach Lea that stuck with me. I have to do my part to get the outcome I’m looking for. If I was given the perfect opportunity out there, it wouldn’t mean a thing if I didn’t take advantage of being a humble worker and making sure the outcome is what from the opportunity is achieved.

“Coach Lea is focusing on adding people who are going to add value to the organization. He’s making one small decision at a time and stressing standards over circumstances. These are the things that coach Lea is using to change the program and I’m happy to be a part of his design.”