DAPHNE, Alabama — Daphne’s Torren McGaster verbally committed to play SEC football for the Vanderbilt University Commodores in 2012.

The Trojan senior defensive back and return specialist became the fifth Daphne football player to announce a verbal commitment to a college program this year.

“I just really like (head) coach (James) Franklin and his coaching staff and how I felt like I just fit right in up there and can be ready to go. I believe that’s where I’m meant to be,” he said. “Coach Franklin has a young staff that I like a lot and they are implementing some new things to the program that I like and that I feel like I can help contribute to right away to the team.”

The 6-foot-1, 180 lb. cornerback helped the Trojans to a 25-2 record over the past two years including the 2010 6A State Championship title over the Hoover Buccaneers.

“They said that I fit into their system real well because of my physical-type of play and toughness and my quickness. And that I can expect to definitely get some playing time with special teams at return. They like the way I take care of the ball on special teams on returns and I enjoy that a whole lot and just defense, too. They said they were looking at me as may be a boundary corner or may be even some at nickle back, too. And since most of their players (defense) were seniors I better come ready to step in and I do. So I’m real excited.”

McGaster returned four kickoffs in 2011 for touchdowns and one in 2010 along with a TD punt-return as well. He decided to make the commitment while on a recent visit to the Vanderbilt campus in Nashville.

He said that Kentucky and Missouri also showed interest in him, but Vandy suited him best.

“Like I said, I feel like I’m supposed to be there. They also have a great academic program and I want to major in biology and they have have one of the best schools in the country.”

McGaster joins other classmates who have committed: Ryan Anderson to Alabama, Eric Lee to South Florida, Jeremy Sparks to Louisiana Layette and T.J. Yeldon to Alabama.

Vanderbilt plays in the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl against the University Cincinnati Bearcats in Memphis on Dec. 31.