GAC’s Southerland to visit Vandy

Greater Atlanta Christian linebacker Blake Southerland, who has committed to Vanderbilt, plans to make two visits to Nashville. Southerland will visit Oct. 4 when the Commodores play Auburn and again on Nov. 22 for the Tennessee game. Southerland, who is on the AJC’s The Georgia 150 list, has been getting interest from the University of Georgia as well, although the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker admitted the Bullodgs weren’t offering a scholarship. “I’m pretty much set on Vanderbilt,” Southerland said. “I haven’t been up [to Vanderbilt] lately. [The last time was] the second week in July, a week after I committed.”

Road Trip: Vanderbilt commit to visit Georgia

Greater Atlanta Christian senior middle linebacker Blake Southerland, who committed to Vanderbilt in July, will be part of the 92,000 plus on-hand when Georgia hosts Central Michigan on Saturday. Southerland, who also attended the Dogs’ home opener against Georgia Southern last weekend, learned months ago he won’t be offered a spot on Georgia’s roster in 2009. But that hasn’t prevented the younger brother of Georgia fullback Brannan Southerland from soaking up the sights and sounds of Sanford Stadium as a recruit. “[Georgia coaches] told me the week before spring practice that they weren’t going to offer,” said Southerland, who is listed as the 73rd-best inside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com. “At first, I was upset. But the more I thought about it, I realized I’d be able to get a fresh start and make a name for myself. “Now, I can’t wait to experience everything at Vanderbilt. I can’t be happier than I am now.” It took just two visits to Vanderbilt for the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Southerland to realize he was prepared to call Nashville home for the next four years. “It’s not really one thing, it’s just everything in general. I love the place,” said Southerland a member of the AJC’s The Georgia Top 150. “It’s small, but it has a big-time SEC feel about it.” Southerland plans to attend Vanderbilt’s games against Auburn and Tennessee this fall.