Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / McCallie junior Carson Lawrence has committed to Vanderbilt, becoming the latest Chattanooga-area athlete to pledge to a SEC program in recent weeks.The Chattanooga area is producing Southeastern Conference football talent left and right these days.
McCallie School rising junior Carson Lawrence became the latest after announcing his commitment to Vanderbilt this past weekend on his Twitter page.
Lawrence made a name for himself last fall in the Blue Tornado secondary as the 6-foot-2, 185-pound free safety intercepted four passes in seven starts.
While falling to Montgomery Bell Academy in the regular season 23-20 and in the TSSAA Division II-AAA state semifinals 28-27, Lawrence picked off Texas A&M signee Marcel Reed in both games. Reed finished with just six interceptions thrown on the season.
“I remember one of my first seasons playing football as a kid scoring three touchdowns per game,” said Lawrence, who also had scholarship offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Appalachian State, New Mexico State, Toledo, UConn, Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky.
“I grew up loving to watch Ed Reed and Chad Ochocinco. All my life my parents have motivated me to be great and reach for my dreams. They have shown me the value of hard work and consistency and how it can change your life over time.”
Lawrence is the second McCalie player to commit to Clark Lea’s Vanderbilt program, which went 5-7 overall and 2-6 in SEC play in 2022.
Senior Blue Tornado 3-star quarterback Jeremy St-Hilaire committed to the Commodores in February. A month later, Baylor School 3-star state championship quarterback Whit Muschamp also committed to Vandy.
On Monday, Brainerd Class of 2025 prospect Martels Carter Jr. received an offer from Alabama.
“To see Chattanooga have so many strong college football prospects is exciting and encouraging,” Lawrence said. “I am glad to be surrounded by guys who are super talented, too. It only makes you want to be better.”
Lawrence is a playmaker in the secondary who has great range and awareness, while also having the physicality to make big hits and fill gaps. He also is expected to step into a bigger role this season on offense at receiver after hauling in four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown through McCallie’s first two games last season before primarily focusing on the defensive side of the ball
“Vanderbilt was honest and genuine with me. I really like what they are doing with the program, the school and the attitude of the team,” Lawrence said. “I can see myself succeeding there.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.