<a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dontae-carter-177517/">Dontae Carter</a> knew he was Vanderbilt-bound as soon as he stepped foot on campus.



Carter, the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/player/football/2024/?position=s">No. 31-rated safety</a> in the country out of Central Texas, committed out-of-state to the Commodores on Saturday evening. 



The On3 four-star defensive back picked Vanderbilt and the chance to compete in the SEC over the likes of Texas Tech and Nebraska, among others.



“I chose Vanderbilt because my family and I felt that it was a good school to go to,” Carter told On3. “I always dreamed of playing in the SEC, so going there on a visit and then hanging around Coach (Clark) Lea, I believe they are actually on the come-up to take over the SEC, and that’s something I want to be a part of. They recruited me hard and they were the first school to really believe in me.”



“I always wanted to play in the SEC on a team full of great coaches and players, and they’re building a team,” the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder from Cibolo (Texas) Steele High School continued. “Outside of the football side, it’s great academics as well. The decision didn’t come easy; it was stressful, but I went opportunity over love.”



Lea played a lead role in recruiting the Lone Star State-based safety. When Carter and his family were on campus in June, several meetings with Vanderbilt’s head coach provided enough clarity about what is being assembled in Nashville.



“Just listening to Coach Lea talk and break down things, it made a lot of sense. I started to ask myself ‘Why not Vanderbilt?'”



“When I was hanging around the team, it felt like I was always a part of it,” Carter explained. “From the minute I stepped foot on campus it immediately felt like home and like family, and those are the kinds of people you want to be around.”



The Commodores edged out the Red Raiders and the Cornhuskers, who also got the four-star defensive back on campus earlier this summer. Vanderbilt checked off a few boxes both on and away from the field.



“Vandy just fits me as a person,” Carter asserted. “How I act, how I go about my business, and I want to be around people with the same mindset as me. Vandy doesn’t offer anything different; it’s a culture thing. They’re family-oriented and the opportunities that Vandy opens up — it’s not normal and it’s unreal for me and my family.”



Carter is the No. 424 overall player in the country, according to the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-player/football/2024/">On3 Industry Ranking</a>, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies

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Vanderbilt lands a commitment from On3 four-star S Dontae Carter

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