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2026 DL Daryl Campbell commits to Vanderbilt

hunterby:Hunter Shelton05/09/25

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Daryl Campbell. (Billy Embody / On3)

Katy (Texas) Paetow three-star defensive lineman Daryl Campbell has committed to Vanderbilt, he announced on Friday.

He chose the Commodores over Houston, SMU, North Carolina and Texas Tech.

Campbell is the No. 585 overall prospect and No. 59 DL in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 87 player in Texas.

The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder is a sizable recruiting victory for Vandy head coach Clark Lea and his staff in Nashville. The Dores offered in February and proceeded to pick up steam. He’s set to return for an official visit at the end of the month, this time as a commit.

Campbell becomes commitment No. 8 for Vandy this cycle. The Commodores currently have a top-40 class nationally, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

More on Vandy Recruiting

The Commodores have picked up some momentum coming out of spring visit season. Of the eight commits in the class, seven have entered the mix since the beginning of February.

Brownsville (Texas) Haywood four-star cornerback Caden Harris is the class headliner. The in-state recruit pledged on April 29 and now ranks as the No. 82 prospect and No. 13 CB in the nation.

“They’ve always treated me as a top priority and built that relationship with me the right way,” Harris told On3’s Chad Simmons. “After my freshman season, they offered and they have been recruiting me hard since. From our first conversation, from my first visit, I always felt the love. Before I had the other offers, stars and all that, Vanderbilt recruited me and wanted me.”

Harris was one of three commitments for Vandy last month, alongside Naples (Fla.) Community School of Naples three-star interior offensive lineman George Haseotes and Sarasota (Fla.) Booker three-star safety Karaijus Hayes.

Earlier this month, Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Hillcrest three-star wide receiver Kahden Smith pledged. La Grange Park (Ill.) Mount Carmel three-star EDGE Joey Quinn committed in March and is the No. 15 player in Illinois this cycle.

Vandy has had a QB in the class since September. San Fransisco Archbishop Riordan three-star Michael Mitchell Jr. has continued to see his stock rise ahead of his senior campaign and is now the No. 31 QB in the cycle.

Cincinnati St. Xavier three-star athlete Daniel Vollmer rounds things out to date. The Vandy class also ranks No. 13 in the SEC, checking in ahead of Mizzou, Florida and Kentucky.