Duke secures two verbal commitments after first camp weekend

Under Head Coach David Cutcliffe, the Blue Devils have had a lot of success on the recruiting front during summer camp season. That trend continued this year, as Duke received two verbal commitments shortly after their first weekend of camps.

Duke hosted Johnell Barnes, a 6'0" 160 pound wide receiver from Dunbar HS in Fort Myers, Florida, during its camp. The speedy receiver had seen his recruitment take off this spring after being named the top WR at multiple camps. In his first year at receiver, Barnes caught 35 passes for over 700 yards and 7 touchdowns. A star both on the field and in the classroom, he also boasts a 3.7 GPA. He chose the Blue Devils on Monday over 11 other schools which had offered, including Connecticut, Florida International, Hawaii and Northwestern.

Zavier Carmichael is a 5'11" 200 pound class of 2014 linebacker from St. Paul's School in Mobile, Alabama. A teammate of star 2013 RB Jordan Huff and 2014 LB Tre Williams, he helped lead St. Paul's to an 11-2 record in his sophomore season. He is the son of Sidney Carmichael, a former lineman at Ole Miss. Carmichael is a top student-athlete, and ultimately chose Duke over Vanderbilt.

Zavier Carmichael Highlights

Check back with BDN for the latest on the newest Blue Devils.

Duke exceeds expectations of athletic California TE Johnny Mundt

The Blue Devils have had a lot of success passing the ball utilizing Coach Cutcliffe's spread offense over the past few seasons, including throwing to the tight ends. With the departure of Cooper Helfet to the Seattle Seahawks, Duke hopes that young tight ends Issac Blakeney and David Reeves will be able to help fill the void this fall, but the coaching staff continues to look towards the future on the recruiting trail.

One prospect who has caught the attention of the Blue Devil staff is Johnny Mundt, a 6’5” 235 pound tight end from Central Catholic HS in Modesto, California. The athletic junior hauled in 17 balls, including 5 for touchdowns, while leading Central Catholic to a 10-3 overall record and the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinals. His junior year performance at both tight end and linebacker earned him a spot on the 2011 Cal-Hi Sports All-State 2nd Team, as well as All-League and All-District honors. For fans and coaches who like measurables, Mundt is your ideal prospect.  At a Nike combine earlier this year, Mundt posted the top SPARQ rating (a sport-specific athletic assessment) for tight ends in the country. As you might expect, interest in Mundt has soared, and he now boasts nine scholarship offers, picking up his most recent from Oregon shortly after speaking with BDN. This past week, the Blue Devils hosted the talented rising senior on an unofficial visit, hoping that the student-athlete might be an ideal fit at Duke.

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BDN: What do you think are your strengths as a tight end and as a football player in general?

Well I am 6’5” 235 pounds, I run a 4.76 [40] so I can let you pretty well for my size. Basically my specialty as a tight end is I’m physical and I play like an athlete, but I try not to brag a lot.

BDN: Offenses use tight ends differently; how have you been utilized in your offense in high school?

Definitely. My high school is basically a run-first team so I do a lot of blocking, but  I do have some special plays because my coach has started to realize that I’m more of a pass-catching tight end. They like to get me off the ball and go out and run a route, but basically I’ll do whatever it takes to win, whether it’s putting a guy out down the sideline or making a catch over a couple guys, I’ll get it done.

BDN: What are some of the things you’re working on as you prepare for your senior season?

I am working on playing more out in space, even at X, that’s where they’re going to have me play a little bit, just trying to create some mismatches because you know in high school they aren’t going to have a big corner out there, so just trying to create a mismatch, so I’m just trying to get out there and get it done.

BDN: I’m sure you’ll still be able to create some mismatches at the college level as well.

Definitely.  That’s what Coach Middleton and I have talked a lot about and we’re pretty excited about doing.

BDN: As you approach your recruiting process, what are the most important things you are looking for in a school?

Obviously I’m going to go to a school that is challenging academically but is pushing me to be the best student-athlete I can be. Duke is obviously prestigious in academics and also football, and that’s why I went to visit there and just loved it. Aside from just being academics and the depth chart, I’m looking for a school that I can really call my home and spend four years here and not being as homesick as a normal kid would, but be excited to wake up and get to practice and get back in the classroom and just enjoy being at college.

BDN: How is your recruiting process going? How many scholarship offers do you have?

I think I might have been a little under-recruited at the beginning just because I wasn’t used a lot as a pass-catching tight end my junior year, but I had 17 catches and 5 touchdowns. After I went to the Nike Combine, I’m currently the #1 TE in SPARQ scores and that’s what kind of got my name out, that I’m a kid at my size who can run and jump and do all that stuff.  As of now, I have 8 offers. I’ve just visited Colorado and Duke, loved them both. Next week I’m going to head out to Oregon and see Oregon State, and probably see Stanford in the near future.  

BDN: Since it’s fresh in your mind, let’s talk about your recent visit to Duke. How did that go?

I can honestly say there was not one part of the school that I didn’t like. I was extremely surprised going in, because I did not know that an unofficial visit would be that fun and that interesting. Meeting with all the coaches, we had a great tour guide, just seeing the school, the beautiful campus, you could just feel the kind of people that are there are pushing for you to be the best that you can be when you come to their school. That’s what I’m looking for – a community of people who are pushing you to be the best – and Duke was definitely meeting those expectations.

BDN: It sounds like you were able to see a lot. At this point, it’s still a long time before Signing Day, but where would you say you are in the recruiting process?

Sooner than later. I do not want to wait until the end of the season and wear a hat. I’m against that. I think that’s not very fair to the schools. I want to know before my high school season who I’m committed to so that I can show them the dedication that they’ve shown me. It’s just business.   I’m going to be spending four years here, it’s a big part of my life, and I can’t wait to find out what school I’m going to. I want to go through my junior season not worrying about what school’s going to be here, or who do I have to impress.  I want to play pretty loose and confident in the school I’m going to.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Johnny, and best of luck.

Alright, thank you, Patrick.

BDN Take

Mundt has demonstrated this spring that he is one of the most athletic tight ends in the country. Coach Cutcliffe has emphasized recruiting speed and athletes across the board during his time at Duke, and Mundt certainly fits that mold. He would be a strong addition to the Blue Devils’ tight end depth chart, filling in behind David Reeves and Issac Blakeney. Duke clearly hit a home run on his unofficial visit, but will have plenty of competition for Mundt’s services before the summer is out. The next week will be critical, as Mundt plans visits to Oregon, Oregon State, and Stanford. Duke sits in a good place, but the race is far from over.

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Highlights

Alpharetta QB Josh Dobbs recaps his second visit to Duke

The following is a free BDN Football Recruiting article. BDN Premium Members receive these timely and high-quality updates year-round. Join Blue Devil Nation Premium today to become a part of the online home of #dukegang. WE ARE DUKE.

Head Coach David Cutcliffe has a well-earned reputation for developing pro-style quarterbacks, from his work with Peyton and Eli Manning, to his work with Thaddeus Lewis and Sean Renfree at Duke. With such a reputation, many fans and analysts have expected the Blue Devils to eventually land a major impact recruit at the QB position during Cutcliffe’s tenure. While Duke has developed a strong group of quarterbacks on the 2012 roster, they continue to look for an impact quarterback on the recruiting trail. Coach Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils have been particularly selective when evaluating quarterback prospects, with only a select few receiving scholarship offers in each of the last two classes. In the class of 2013, one prospect has risen to the top of the Blue Devils’ wish list, and is exactly the type of elite student-athlete that would have a major impact in Durham, both on and off the field.

Josh Dobbs is a 6’3” 195 pound quarterback from Alpharetta High School in the talent-rich state of Georgia. As a junior, he led Alpharetta to a 9-2 record, finishing with 3,113 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.  His accomplishments don’t stop there, as Dobbs excels on the baseball diamond, where he plays shortstop and third base, as well as in the classroom, where he boasts a 4.1 GPA. With such a resume, it’s not surprising that schools from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-12, SEC, and even the Ivy League are among Dobbs’ suitors.

Included among his 15 scholarship offers is the opportunity to play both football and baseball at Duke University. Dobbs visited Durham earlier this spring to take in the baseball program, and returned on Thursday for an in-depth look at the football program and the university as a whole.  BDN caught up with the talented quarterback shortly after his visit.

BDN: You’re coming off a really strong junior season at quarterback. What do you think are some of the things you do well as a QB that allow you to be so successful?

My strengths for the quarterback position, as a pro-style quarterback, I’m able to make all the throws on the field. I’m a smart kid in the classroom, taking all honors and AP classes. I’m able to pick apart defenses easily and march down the field. I’m a student of the game, watch a lot of film throughout the week and throughout the offseason in order to get ready for my opponents on Fridays.

BDN: It definitely sounds like you’re a hard worker and you’ve been able to excel in several different areas – football, baseball, and in the classroom. How are you able to balance all of your responsibilities and maintain your high level of performance?

It’s just staying determined and putting in hard work, continuing to put in the hard work. I just have a goal to continue to get better every day.

BDN: What are some of the things you’re working on as you prepare for your senior season?

Well, I’m continuing to look at old film and see the mistakes from last year that I made and looking to continue to get better making my reads. Also, I’m working with my receivers to continue to get better, to be very crisp and accurate with my receivers on the field.

BDN: As you approach your recruiting process, what are the most important things you are looking for in a school?

I’m looking for a college that has high standards as far as academics and that has a major in the field I want to study, which is engineering - aeronautical engineering. From the football aspect, a university where I have the opportunity to compete at the quarterback position and the opportunity to compete in general.  Also, a place where I feel I can develop a strong relationship with the offensive coordinator.  On the social side, just a school that I feel comfortable attending.

BDN: I know that you also have opportunities to play baseball in college; is that something that’s important to you and will factor into your decision?

At Duke, I have a baseball as well as a football offer, but I’m not sold on playing both. That’s something I’ll sit down and talk about with my parents and decide which sport at which school.

BDN: How is your recruiting process going? How many scholarship offers do you have?

Right now I’m at 15 college offers, and since school got out I’ve been able to visit a lot of schools that I wasn’t able to visit in the spring with baseball, of course, and school. I was able to see Boston College, Arizona State, Duke, of course, again. And over my spring break I was able to visit Wake Forest and Mississippi State, as well as Duke, again.

BDN: Since it’s fresh in your mind, let’s talk about your visit to Duke yesterday. How did that go?

Well of course it was great to get back up to Duke. I was glad I was actually put in contact with Duke from the baseball side of things. Coach Edwin Thompson was able to see me play and this past December I was given the baseball offer and from the football side things have progressed over the spring. For my most recent visit, I was able to meet first with Coach Cutcliffe, a chance to sit down with him and just to build on the strong relationship I have with him, talk about the university in general and talk about the football program. Then I was able to get a campus tour by Ethan Johnson.  He’s the Assistant Director of Football Relations. We were able to see dorms, classrooms, facilities, football facilities, academic facilities, and just get a good all-around feel of campus. Then we were able to meet with the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, who is Mr. Guttentag. We were able to talk about class schedules from this past year and upcoming year. He was able to talk about Duke from the academic and admissions side and why I’d be a great fit at Duke. Then we were able to sit down and talk with the Director of Academic Services for the football program, Mrs. Ryan. She talked about the football schedule and how they assist their football players throughout the season and the offseason from the academic side of things. After that, I was just thankful that Dr. Kevin White, the Athletic Director, was able to make time for me and my family while we were on campus. We talked with him about the academic side as well as the athletic side, and why Duke is Duke, of course, and why Duke would be a great fit. We ended up our trip with being able to meet with Professor Donald Bliss, who is also the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Pratt School of Engineering. He was so thorough and generous with his time; not only did he lay out the degree requirements, but he also gave us a tour of the engineering labs.

BDN: It sounds like you were able to see a lot. At this point, it’s still a long time before Signing Day, but where would you say you are in the process?

As of now, we’re starting to narrow things down. My goal is to have my decision made by the end of the summer, whenever that is, before my senior year starts.

BDN: With 15 offers, you have a lot of great opportunities in front of you, but are there any schools that you have just started talking to, or schools that you would like to hear from?

As of now, there really isn’t. I’m just thankful for the opportunities placed in front of me as of now and to be able to see those schools this spring.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Josh, and best of luck.

Thank you, you too.

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BDN Analysis

As a quarterback, Dobbs has an excellent arm. He shows good accuracy with all throws, and nice touch on deep balls. He is able to fit the ball into tight spaces and make strong, quick throws when needed. At 6’3,” he has good size as a pocket passer, but is also a good enough athlete to make plays with his feet. All of his physical attributes translate well to the college game, and in particular, to Duke’s spread offense. He will certainly benefit from a college strength and conditioning program. As far as his recruitment, it’s a bit of a mystery as to why he was able to fly under the radar for so long. His development and exposure as a QB may have been held back slightly by his participation in baseball. In any case, his recruitment has exploded this spring, and more offers are likely to come. That being said, Duke has made a very strong impression and will be a finalist for his commitment. In speaking with Josh, it’s very evident that he’s a “Duke kid,” meaning that he would be a great fit for the program, both on and off the field. BDN will keep in touch with Josh over the coming weeks and keep members updated on his recruitment.

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Highlights

Football Friday is ready for summer camp

BDN's Football Friday is packed and ready for summer camp. Don't forget your toothbrush!

Duke Football Camps

Duke will host hundreds of players on campus over the next two weeks. In a nutshell, there will be four types of players on campus.

Top prospects: these are players who already have Duke (and other) scholarship offers. Getting them on campus is another chance to evaluate and recruit them. It's also a good opportunity for the prospect to get a feel for what it would be like to be a player at Duke.

Prospects without offers: this is often the biggest group, and includes players who the staff has yet to evaluate in person, and other players who have a high interest in Duke and will be looking to impress. A select group of prospects from this cohort will receive scholarship offers shortly after their visit.

Commits: Duke always invites their verbal commitments to attend summer camp if possible. This is another great opportunity to continue to develop the relationship with a player, while also helping the player improve his game.

Everyone else: Duke's camps are open to all players from 9th grade and up. These are players who are primarily on campus to improve themselves as football players; they may not have started the college recruiting process, might project at the FCS level, may have borderline academic records, or several other situations.

BDN will have the latest news from all of Duke's summer camps, including top performers, new offers, and commitments. The Duke Football camp schedule is as follows:

Duke Football 1 Day Camp: June 9, 2012
Duke Football Big Man Camp: June 10 - 11, 2012
David Cutcliffe QB College: June 14 - 15, 2012
Duke Football Kicking Camp: June 14 - 15, 2012
Duke Football 1 Day Camp: June 16, 2012

Hud Mellencamp to walk-on

With Jessica Springsteen and Hud Mellencamp expected to enroll this fall, Duke is quickly becoming Rock Star U. The son of John "Cougar" Mellencamp, Hud was home schooled in Indiana and unable to participate in organized football; he did, however, compete as a boxer, winning two Golden Gloves division championships and a Junior Olympics title. At 5'11," Mellencamp is expected to join the team as a defensive back, and could certainly become a contributor on special teams this fall.

Meet the Blue Devils Day

Speaking of this year's football team, kickoff is now just 84 days away! Fans can get an up-close and personal look at the 2012 Blue Devils at the annual Meet the Blue Devils Day, held on August 18th this year in Wallace Wade Stadium. Admission is free and includes a free team poster. Duke players will be on hand for photos and autographs.

Sterling Korona updates his recruitment

With Tanner Stone and Austin Davis in the fold, the Blue Devils are looking to continue to build a pipeline of talented offensive linemen from Texas. Duke was among the first to offer 6'7" OL Sterling Korona, and impressed him on an unofficial visit earlier this spring. Several other schools have joined in pursuit of the talented Texan, who now holds offers from Kansas, North Texas, SMU, Houston, UTSA, Duke, Washington State, and Tulsa. Korona is making his visits and planning a decision before the end of July.

Duke makes the cut for ESPNU150 LB Peter Kalambayi

Peter Kalambayi is a 6’2″ 230 pound prospect from Butler High School in Matthews, NC. The Blue Devils were among the first to offer a scholarship to the rising senior star, and it appears they will be among the last in the running for his commitment. Kalambayi, one of the top players in the state, recently trimmed his list to California, Duke, North Carolina, Oregon, Stanford, and Virginia. Kalambayi would be the type of defensive difference-maker that Coach Cutcliffe hopes will put the program back on the national map.

Duke offensive linemen on a mission

We had mentioned this in prior updates, but it bears repeating. Led by Dave Harding, ten Duke offensive linemen planned and completed a service trip to Ethiopia earlier this summer. The primary purpose of the trip was to dig a well for a small community in Awasa, but the Blue Devils came away with a greater appreciation for their lives in America, and a stronger bond among the teammates. "Seeing these guys really losing the familiarity and their comfort zone within the United States - you're not at home anymore," said Harding. "Once that started to happen, peoples' walls come down and you get to know the true person.  We did a lot of service along the way, but even during the service, we were able to bond and build our relationships with one another. So I think we're a lot more cohesive and better friends after having taken the trip." It was an extraordinary trip for a great group of young men, and Duke fans hope that the work done in Ethiopia not only provides clean drinking water to the citizens of Awasa, but also paves the way for big running holes for the Blue Devils this fall.

 

With camp season upon us, bookmark BDN for all of the latest updates on Duke Football recruiting. Over the next few weeks, fans can expect to see the Duke class of 2013 add to its already impressive list of Breon Borders, Quay Chambers, Austin Davis, Evrett Edwards, Jake Kite, and Quay Mann. Thanks for reading and thanks for your support of BDN Football. WE ARE DUKE.

Former Duke standout Trajan Langdon shares the latest with BDN

After completing a stellar four year career at Duke, Trajan Langdon, dubbed the Alaskan Assassin while a Blue Devil, played professionally in Russia, where he led CSKA Moscow (pronounced "Ceska")  to two European titles.  Langdon was named first team All-Euroleague twice in a league considered to be one of the two best in the world.

In this interview, Langdon shared what his life looks like in his first year of  retirement.  The former sharpshooter is now rasing his own family, and he updates us on that as well as his feelings about his extended Blue Devil family.

The plan is to catch up again to Trajan soon for a more in-depth interview, but for now I'm sure you will enjoy hearing from one of Duke's most succesful players in the Coach K era.

NBAPA Top 100 High School Camp Rosters

The annual NBAPA Top 100 High School Camp will take place June 14th through June 16th in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the event -- which is closed to the public --  will feature several Duke prospects.   In addition to the on-court action, this camp offers prospects the opportunity to learn from former NBA players on a wide range of issues they'll face as their careers progress.  BDN plans on being there as usual to once again cover one of our favorite events of the summer.  Here is a roster of the participants, which includes Jabari Parker, Marcus Lee, Semi Ojeleye, Ish Wainright, and many other high school stars: