Whitehaven cornerback Rayshad Williams commits to Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt on Sunday picked up its third in-state prospect this month while continuing to stockpile recruits in the secondary for the Class of 2018.

Whitehaven cornerback Rayshad Williams committed to the Commodores, picking them over Arkansas, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Williams is Vanderbilt's 12th commitment for the Class of 2018 and is the third defensive back to pledge to the Commodores in a four-day span. Cornerback Tre Douglas of Georgia committed to Vanderbilt on Thursday, and safety Dashaun Jerkins of Virginia committed on Friday.

Williams, a 6-foot-4, 183-pound senior, is a three-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite. He is the No. 28 prospect in the state according to the recruiting site and No. 80 cornerback in the country.

"He is one that has an extremely high ceiling," Whitehaven coach Rodney Saulsberry said. "He's the new prototype corner. And he is extremely athletic for a man of that size.

"And he is a true corner."

Williams is joined by Brentwood Academy's Gavin Schoenwald and Camron Johnson as in-state recruits committed to the Nashville SEC school.

That comes a year after Vanderbilt didn't have an in-state pledge until Pearl-Cohn's Brayden Devault-Smith committed the day before national signing day, 

Williams had 44 tackles with three interceptions for Whitehaven in 2016. The Tigers defeated Oakland 12-9 in the 2016 TSSAA Class 6A state championship game. Williams had five tackles and an interception in the title game.

Saulsberry said Williams' role will expand this season. He'll play some on offense, potentially at quarterback or wide receiver. And he'll be on special teams.

Reach Tom Kreager at tkreager@tennessean.com or 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @Kreager.