While Duke is working hard to improve their defense on the field this spring, the coaching staff is also working hard to upgrade the defense with a talented group of prospects in the class of 2012. Under new defensive line coach Rick Petri, several prospects already have received verbal scholarship offers from the Blue Devils, and many have also taken a visit to Durham this spring. One of the most recent linemen to visit Durham and pick up a verbal scholarship offer is Korren Kirven, a 6’5” 275 pound prospect from Lynchburg, Virginia. After his standout junior season at Brookville, Korren has picked up over a dozen verbal scholarship offers this spring from programs throughout the ACC and SEC. The athletic lineman recently made the trip to Durham to learn more about the Duke program and came away with a good impression.

BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths for fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play?

Well, my strengths – probably my strengths are speed and technique and agility and footwork and stuff like that.

BDN: What are some of the things you have been working on this offseason?

My strength, speed, agility and stuff.  Stuff like that.

BDN: As you look at your college decision, what are the most important factors you are looking for in a school?

Academics is first.  Good football program, good team that likes to win.  Coach experience, they know what they’re doing, and coach relationships and stuff like that.  Relationships with players and coaches and with recruits and stuff.

BDN: You mentioned the importance of academics; do you have a specific field you are thinking of studying in college?

It’s probably going to be something dealing with art.  I’m not sure what the actual major is going to be yet, but yeah.  Art.

BDN: Which schools have you been in contact with the longest, or have been hearing the most from?

Virginia, Virginia Tech, Colorado, Florida – well actually basically all the schools that have offered.  Yeah, basically every school that has offered me.

BDN: Have you had a chance to visit any schools so far?

Yeah, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, and I went to UNC this past summer.  I’m going to Tennessee next week, and then NC State.  I’m supposed to be going down to Florida on the 9th of April.  Penn State is probably going to be the week after that, so – and yeah, every weekend I’m probably going to go to a school.

BDN: Are there any schools that you feel like you’ve developed a good relationship with at this point in the process?

Yeah, the two Virginia schools have. Duke - their whole academic thing down there is really good.  I went down there yesterday, and that was really good, it was a good visit and stuff.  I haven’t really visited any other schools that actually have stood out yet but everybody is about equal right now, so I don’t really have any favorites right now.

BDN: Do you have an idea for how or when you would like to narrow your list of schools down and ultimately make a decision?

Yeah, not sure yet but yeah, we’re going to visit pretty much every school so we’ll probably narrow it down from that by December.

BDN: Is there anything else that you think is important for college football fans to know about you?

Yeah, I’m a big fan of arts and stuff.  I play the saxophone and different stuff like that too.  I’m a real good artist and stuff, too, so.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Korren, and best of luck to you.

Okay, alright man, thanks.