The pipeline running from the McCallie School football program to Vanderbilt University will continue for a third straight year.
Blue Tornado senior receiver Keeyshawn Tabuteau has announced his commitment to the Commodores on his social media accounts, choosing the Southeastern Conference program in Nashville over offers from more than 20 other schools, including Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
The 6-foot, 179-pounder began gaining offers from SEC programs after being timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash last summer at one of Georgia’s camps. This spring, he ran a personal-best 10.81 seconds in the 100-meter dash to qualify for the TSSAA Division II-AA state track and field meet, where he finished fourth. He also helped the Blue Tornado 4×100 relay team finish first at state.
“100% committed! Anchor Down,” Tabuteau posted on his X account Tuesday night, just two days after returning from an official visit to Vanderbilt.
If he follows through by signing with the Commodores, Tabuteau would become the third McCallie player in as many years to join them, following defensive back Carson Lawrence, who signed last December, and quarterback Jeremy St. Hilaire, who was part of the 2024 recruiting class. Blue Tornado senior offensive lineman Moussa Seck (6-4, 325) also has an offer from Vanderbilt, as does junior receiver Loia Valade (5-11, 175).
Rated a three-star prospect by each of the nation’s major recruiting services, Tabuteau is a consensus top-15 recruit in Tennessee for the class of 2026 and is the state’s No. 3 receiver, according to 247Sports.com.
Tabuteau had 36 catches for 569 yards and five touchdowns in the 2024 regular season, and he helped the Blue Tornado repeat as Division II-AAA state champions. That followed a sophomore season in which he had 687 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, plus 222 rushing yards and two scores.
“What’s really impressive is that he’s still learning to play receiver, because until his sophomore season he had only played running back,” said McCallie head coach Joel Bradford, who is also the offensive coordinator. “He has a lot of potential to grow in the game, and with his talent, he definitely has the potential to develop into a Sunday player.
“He can play either slot or an outside receiver position, and with his speed, he can blow the top off any defense. Besides being explosive, he’s also strong and is very dangerous with the ball in his hands in space.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com.