It’s no secret Vanderbilt stands as a recruiting underdog in the nation’s best college football conference. Stringent academic requirements, a lack of national exposure and that pesky bowl-less streak all contribute to the Dores being overlooked both on and off the field. Not surprisingly, Rivals.com rated Vanderbilt’s class as the weakest in the SEC.

Fortunately for Vandy fans and players like Chris Williams, Curtis Gatewood and Theo Horrocks, recruiting experts don’t always get it right. Each of these players recently finished impressive careers as Commodores, and all have legitimate chances at long-lasting NFL careers. They were also rated as “two-star” prospects on Rivals.com, the lowest ranking a Division I football player can receive.

What about future NFL draftee Earl Bennett? Rivals ranked the record–breaking wide receiver as the 18th best prospect … in the state of Alabama. He didn’t even crack the top 70 in the 2005 receiver rankings.

Don’t get me wrong — Rivals, Scout and other online providers offer important analysis that helps fans get a better grasp of their school’s recruiting, and the sites are often accurate in their predictions. Still, Coach Johnson is excited about his sixth recruiting class and knows that it is better than advertised.

“I don’t compare them to other people’s classes. I don’t care who they sign; we only care who we sign for Vanderbilt,” said Johnson. “We only start comparing them when we’re about to take them on in football.”

Johnson also cited the talented graduating class as a selling-point for recruiting.

“It’s important for recruits to know that if they come here, they’ll be surrounded by guys that can take them to the next level.” Johnson added. “Chris Williams is a great example of that — he went from basically a nobody in recruiting to possibly a first round draft pick, and part of that comes from what our weight room can do, as well as our line coach Robbie Caldwell. We have people here who can help, and guys like Chris and Jay Cutler are proof of that.”

Regardless of a team’s national prestige, signing day is an exciting time to gauge the future of college football. As a Commodores fan, it’s easy to get frustrated about the lack of blue-chip recruits, but it’s also important to remember the satisfaction of watching an unheralded prospect develop into an the NFL player. If recent history serves as any indication, some of the 21 athletes that signed on Wednesday will leave other SEC coaches praying for a time machine. How do you think Steve Spurrier feels about passing on D.J. Moore?

This week marks the welcoming of the football class of 2008. For all we know, the Commodores landed the next Earl Bennett while the rest of college football was looking elsewhere. If signing day reminds Commodore fans of anything, it’s that being the underdog has its bright spots. Appreciating these moments is what being a Vandy fan is all about.