Fresh off its highest-rated signing class in school history, Vanderbilt is already making noise on the 2013 recruiting trail.

Quarterback Johnathan McCrary of Ellenwood, Ga., commited to Vanderbilt coach James Franklin on Thursday night. He's the first commitment for the Commodores in the 2013 class -- and a big one.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound McCrary is an ESPNU 150 Watch List member and chose Vanderbilt despite having offers from such schools as Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State and Ohio State. McCrary passed for 2,643 yards and 27 touchdowns this past season and passed for 3,400 yards as a sophomore. He's the son of former Atlanta Falcons tight end Greg McCrary, who told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "He knows Vanderbilt doesn’t have the same football tradition as some of the other schools that were recruiting him. But he said before he leaves Vanderbilt, he wants to make an impact. He wants to play against an Alabama or Georgia and make an impact."

The hardest part now for Vanderbilt will be holding onto McCrary, because other schools aren't going to all of a sudden stop recruiting him.

Franklin has really targeted the state of Georgia. Five of the Commodores' 21 signees in the 2012 class were from Georgia, including three four-star prospects.

Two other highly rated players from Georgia were originally committed to Vanderbilt, but wound up going elsewhere -- defensive end Josh Dawson (to Georgia) and cornerback Chris Moody (to South Carolina).

If nothing else, Franklin has proven that he's more than willing to go head-to-head against SEC powers on the recruiting front. Franklin has already won a few key battles, too, the kind Vanderbilt hasn't historically won.

It's still going to be a battle for McCrary, but the Commodores are the clear leader at this point and can offer a chance to come in and play right away. Jordan Rodgers will be a senior this coming season.