Tag Archives: AJ Wolf

Duke Football

BDN Commitment Profile: A.J. Wolf

The 2011 Duke Football season is behind us. It's time to look forward to the future, and that begins with the class of 2012. Duke has already secured 15 verbal commitments in this class, and BDN will profile each of the newest Blue Devils as we head toward Signing Day 2012.

Hackley LB/DE A.J. Wolf committed to Duke in June

A.J. WOLF

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 245 pounds
Position: Defensive end
Hometown: Tarrytown, New York
High School: Hackley School - NEPSAC Class C

Senior season recap: It was a dissapointing season for the team, losing many close games, and ending up 1-6 (1 game cancelled due to snow storm.) However, I personally think I had a great season and did the best I could to help the team win 100% of the time.

Senior season stats: From the MLB position in only 7 games - 98 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 blocked FG, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 Rush TD

Scholarship offers: Duke

Commitment to Duke: I get to play ACC football and get a fantastic education. Also, the coaches all seemed very wise and competitive. On my unofficial visit over the summer, it seemed like everyone was part of one big family, and everyone was close. Another bonus is the weather (compared to NY). In my eyes, it seemed like the perfect school to play football at. I committed on site during my visit for those reasons. 

Considering other schools: No

Academic interests: Business/Finance

Pro or College Role Models: I don't compare myself to, but strive to be like DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews. No one can block them. 

College goals: Win an ACC Championship and be 1st Team All-ACC.

Planned enrollment: Summer 2012

Message to Duke fans: I am also a State Champion Track & Field Athlete, and am trying to be an All-American this year.

BDN Scouting Report: Wolf is clearly one of the most intriguing sleeper prospects in Duke's class of 2012. He's a tremendous athlete and comes from an extremely gifted family. A.J. has a good frame and will be able to add strength in a college weight program. In high school, he played all over the field for Hackley, a testament to his athleticism at 6'4" and 245 pounds. He was recruited to play defensive end at Duke, though has the skill set to potentially slide inside to defensive tackle. Wolf didn't see a very high level of competition in high school, so it remains to be seen how he will fare against college competition. Being able to focus on one position will allow him to perfect his techniques, but he already possesses good instincts and tackling ability.  In all likelihood, A.J. will benefit from a redshirt year under Coach Petri in Durham, but his athleticism and intelligence may make it hard to keep him off the field for long.

Highlights:

Duke Football

Duke adds athletic NY lineman A.J. Wolf to the class of 2012

A.J. Wolf is the 10th verbal commitment in Duke's class of 2012

With the arrival of Defensive Line Coach Rick Petri in Durham this offseason, the Duke defensive line has been rejuvenated. Coach Petri and the players have worked hard to transform the position into a strength for the 2011 Blue Devils. Having worked with college and NFL stars such as Warren Sapp and John Abraham during his career, Coach Petri is know as one of the best teachers of the game. In the class of 2012, Duke has already added verbal commitments from two athletic linemen in Allen Jackson and Carlos Wray. On Saturday, the Blue Devils received a commitment from another athletic prospect, as 6’4” 250 pound A.J. Wolf gave his pledge to the Duke coaching staff. Wolf earned 1st Team All-League on both offense and defense as a junior, and was also named 2nd Team All-State at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY. After impressing the Duke coaches at camp last weekend, Wolf earned an offer and jumped at the opportunity to become a Blue Devil, choosing Duke over Penn State, LSU, Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton. His highlights can be viewed here.

 

BDN caught up with the newest Blue Devil shortly after his commitment Saturday.

 

BDN: How did you arrive at your decision to commit to Duke?

Well last week, the 18th, I came to their football camp and then two days later they gave me an offer, so I decided to come back down and visit this weekend, because I know that you have to act fast or scholarships can get filled up. I visited yesterday and then today, and I liked everything I saw. I asked everyone, basically every student I saw, how they liked Duke and every single person said they love it. I heard the social scene is great, it’s D1 ACC football, and the education is fantastic. That’s why I decided to come here, the education is great and you’re also competing at a top D1 program, which is a combination that’s hard to find.

BDN: Can you talk about your relationship with the Duke coaching staff?

Well I’m a D-End, defensive end. I didn’t really know the staff well at all last week, but I came this weekend and Coach Cutcliffe, he’s a great guy, he’s a gentleman, he speaks the truth and he’ll always tell you what’s up. He’s really nice about and I got a good impression of him. Coach Knowles is also a good guy, he’s persistent though, he’s an aggressive recruiter, but it works. And then the D-Line Coach, Coach Petri is nice, he seemed really nice. All the coaches I got introduced to seemed like nice guys, I got a really warm feeling.

BDN: Can you give fans a scouting report on yourself as a football player?

Well I think the reason they really liked me is that I’m 250 pounds, but I have great agility for my size and great quickness for my size. I guess there’s a lot of potential in that. I’m not a brute force, I’m more of a finesse guy, I guess, but I have a big frame. They liked the fact that I don’t really use my big frame and I have quick feet, and together they saw potential in that.

BDN: Who are the other schools that you were in contact with and were considering before your commitment to Duke?

I was looking at Stanford, also, and Princeton. Princeton’s in the Ivy League, so it’s a much different experience. And Stanford, there’s a variety of reasons why I picked Duke over Stanford.

BDN: What are your plans for the rest of your summer as you head into your senior year?

The rest of the summer I’m just getting in great shape for my senior season in high school. And then senior year, I’m going to keep my grades up and keep working to eventually help the Devils win a championship.

BDN: Thanks a lot, A.J., and welcome to Duke.

Thanks a lot.