Duke hopes that WR Drae Bowles will become a program-changer, on and off the field
Under Head Coach David Cutcliffe, the Blue Devil offense has featured some of the best receivers in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the country. This fall, Duke fans hope to watch All-ACC candidates Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon help lead the Blue Devils to a bowl game. With the impending graduation of senior Donovan Varner, however, Duke is looking for an elite wide receiver in the class of 2012, and are in the mix for a top prospect from the state of Tennessee. Drae Bowles is a 6’1” 200 pound receiver prospect from Jackson Christian HS. After an impressive junior season that included 14 touchdown catches on offense and an All-State selection at linebacker, Bowles has received countless accolades from coaches and scouts alike. With over 20 scholarship offers, the top wide receiver will have his pick of schools, and the Blue Devils hope he chooses to become an impact player for their program.
BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths for fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play?
Definitely my hands, coaches tell me I have great hands as a physical receiver.
BDN: What are some of the things you have been working on this summer?
Just working on getting better at all aspects of the game of football.
BDN: What are the most important things you are looking for in a college?
The most important things is a place that feels like home. A place where I have a good relationship with the coaches and I feel comfortable. And also a place where I feel like I can contribute early. Those are probably the most important things for me.
BDN: Which schools have been recruiting you the hardest, or have you had the most contact with?
Well I don’t have any favorites right now, but probably Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Duke, Ole Miss, and Maryland are recruiting me the hardest right now.
BDN: You mentioned the importance of your relationship with the coaching staff; which coaches do you feel like you have a strong relationship with so far?
Which coaches…probably the schools I mentioned. I have a good relationship with a lot of the coaches right now.
BDN: Do you have any plans for visits this summer?
I’m planning to take at least three visits in July, but I haven’t been able to visit any schools this month.
BDN: You mentioned Duke as one of the schools that is recruiting you the hardest; can you talk a little bit about what you like about Duke?
Well Duke is definitely a school I am considering. It obviously is a great school academically and that appeals to me, but I also like their coaches. Coach Cutcliffe seems like a real honest, genuine man and I also really like Coach Loebner and Coach Lubick. I really like their coaches.
BDN: Do you think that Duke is a place where you could contribute early in their offense?
Definitely.
BDN: Do you have an idea for how you would like to narrow things down and make your decision?
I really haven’t thought about it yet, I don’t know, I’m just going to take it one at a time.
Head Coach David Cutcliffe added Tanner Stone to the Duke class of 2012 Wednesday.
One of the areas of greatest improvement within the Duke football program since the arrival of Head Coach David Cutcliffe has been the offensive line. This fall, Duke is expected to feature one of the strongest and deepest groups in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Offensive Line Coach Matt Luke has worked hard to build the position group with Duke’s current players, while also working tirelessly on the recruiting trail. On Wednesday, his efforts resulted in the addition of another talented offensive lineman to the Duke program. Tanner Stone, a 6’6” 260 pound prospect from Highland Park HS in Dallas, Texas, has committed to the Blue Devils. As a junior, Stone helped lead the Scots to a 12-1 overall record and the Texas 4A state playoffs.
Tanner spoke with BDN shortly after his decision today.
BDN: What are your strengths as a player?
I think they say I’m a good pass-blocker, I have good feet, and I’m quick enough to catch someone off the edge and I work hard and all that jazz.
BDN: What are you working on this summer as you prepare for your senior year?
I think the main thing is gaining weight, because I’m at about 250 right now and I know for a college offensive lineman, I need to be near the 300s.
BDN: How did you arrive at your decision to commit to Duke?
Yeah, I actually was up there last weekend for their football camps and met all the coaches, and all the coaches were really cool and they just have a really good program. They’re on the rise because all of their coaches are from really good schools and I think they’re going to do a lot for the program. Also, it’s just outstanding academic-wise and it’s overall just a good fit for me.
BDN: Is there anything else you want Duke fans to know about you?
I’m going to try my best to do whatever I can for the team and just try to win and work hard.
TE Dan Beilinson hopes to make his decision soon between three finalists
With the impending graduation of Cooper Helfet and Danny Parker, Duke will be looking to reload at the tight end position in the class of 2012. After an early verbal commitment from Florida prospect Erich Schneider, the Blue Devils have remained focused on a local prospect to fill their remaining spot at tight end. Dan Beilinson is a 6’5” 220 pound tight end from Cary, North Carolina. As a junior, Beilinson caught 37 passes for over 500 yards, helping Panther Creek HS to a conference title and the state regional playoffs. One of the top tight end prospects in the state, his performance earned him 1st Team Tri-Nine All-Conference, among many other accolades. Highlights from Dan’s junior year can be viewed here. With eight scholarship offers in hand and interest from several other schools, Beilinson has narrowed his college choices to three finalists. [private]
BDN: Where are you in your recruiting process?
I’d say I’ve basically narrowed the schools down basically to NC State, Duke, and Wake Forest, and I’m just trying to figure out which of those schools is the best fit for me. I’m not really looking at this point for anything else, I’m just trying to decide between those three schools.
BDN: Have you had a chance to visit your finalists recently?
Yes, last weekend I actually visited all three of them.
BDN: You’ve obviously had a chance to visit these schools a few times now; what are the specific things you have been evaluating on your more recent visits?
I’m just trying to see the best relationship with a coach that I can establish, how they coach and how that relates to me. Just try to see what they’re doing and just try to evaluate based on that.
BDN: It sounds like the relationship you are developing with the coaches is important; which coaches are you closest with?
At NC State, Coach Archer would be the recruiter for my area so I’ve got to know him pretty well. And then the former tight end coach, Coach Bridge, I know him very well and I’m establishing with the new tight end coach, Coach Horton, so I’m developing a relationship there. At Duke, mainly I know Coach Middleton and Coach Cutcliffe very well, and some of the other coaches I’ve established contact with. And then at Wake Forest, Coach Russ and Coach Tereshinski have been the two main people that I’ve talked to.
BDN: What stood out to you about each of your three finalists?
They’re all very good educational schools. If I choose to got to [NC] State or Duke, I’d probably do engineering and then if I go to Wake Forest, I’d probably do more of a science field. So in all aspects the education is really good and that’s really appealing to me. And then in football, all the programs are either rising or already good, so that adds more to the effect.
BDN: When do you expect to make your final decision?
I hope, in my head it just kind of happens, but it could be soon, or it could go past the season, I really don’t know, but it might be soon, I’m not sure.
Charlotte OL Casey Blaser commited to Duke on Saturday
Head Coach David Cutcliffe and Offensive Line Coach Matt Luke continue to build the Blue Devil offensive line with the addition of Charlotte OL Casey Blaser to the class of 2012. Blaser informed the Duke coaching staff of his verbal pledge to the program on a busy Saturday in Durham. Duke wrapped up its summer camps on Saturday, closing two straight weeks of camps featuring hundreds of high school prospects hoping to impress the Duke coaches. The Duke coaching staff was impressed with Blaser earlier this spring and were the first ACC program to offer him a scholarship, joining ECU, Ball State, and Marshall. At 6'5" and 261 pounds, Blaser is set to anchor the offensive line for South Mecklenburg HS this fall.
BDN recently spoke with Casey about his Duke offer.
Welcome to Duke, Casey!
UPDATE: Casey checked in with us on Sunday to let the Blue Devil Nation know about his decision.
BDN: How did you arrive at your decision to commit to Duke?
Well yesterday I attended their camp and I got to see how the coaching staff worked together and how they coached, and I really enjoyed that. Afterwards I got to see the weight room, the locker room, the training room and I really liked their facilities. I got to talk to Coach Cutcliffe and he told me what they’re trying to accomplish and what they have planned for the future and I just really liked what I was hearing and it just hit me that I want to go here to play football.
BDN: How did you tell the coaching staff and what did they say to you?
At first it was me, my mom and Coach Cutcliffe in his office and we were talking and then after we got done talking me and my mom walked out and as we were walking in the elevator, I told her, “Mom I want to commit here.” She was like “are you sure, do you want to think about it?” And I said, “No, I’m pretty sure I’m ready right now.” So then once we got the chance we went back into his office and we told him and they were happy and they were excited and we were all excited and happy about the decision.
BDN: What other schools were you considering?
I also had offers from ECU, Marshall and Ball State, and South Carolina and Georgia Tech were showing interest.
BDN: What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
Just to stay in shape and keep working for football for my senior year.
Duke is hoping to add top OL Eric Olson to their class of 2012
In just three-plus years in Durham Head Coach David Cutcliffe and Offensive Line Coach Matt Luke have built the Blue Devil offensive line into one of the best units in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Duke offensive line now ranks near the top of the ACC in sacks per pass attempt, and the Blue Devil running game continues to improve each year. The successes up front have been the result of tireless work in the weight room, on the practice field, and on the recruiting trail. In the past two recruiting classes, Duke has brought in a group of impressive blockers, led by Laken Tomlinson, Tacoby Cofield, Marcus Aprahamian, and Cody Robinson. In the class of 2012, Duke is engaged in an intense recruiting battle for one of the top linemen in the country in Eric Olson. Olson is an incredibly athletic 6’6” 265 pound prospect from Cambridge, Massachusetts. He attends one of the top schools in New England in Buckingham Browne & Nichols, and academics will weigh heavily into his decision. After a busy spring of visits, Eric is preparing to make his college decision between Duke, Virginia, Boston College, Northwestern, and Michigan.
BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths as a player?
All the coaches tell me the favorite thing they see on my film is my effort. Every single block, if you watch my film, I pretty much take the kid to the ground. The other main thing is my length and athleticism, I’m all of 6’6” and actually grew up as a basketball player, so I’ve got pretty good feet out there on the edge, you know pass blocking is pretty similar to playing man-to-man defense. Moving my feet, using my long arms as well as explosion and athleticism, bringing the guy to the ground, all that stuff.
BDN: What are you hoping to accomplish in your senior year?
Win a league title, first and foremost. Win a New England Championship, league title, we know we’ve got a great group of guys coming back. I’m a captain for next year and I think we can really do some special things. This summer I’m looking to put on maybe 10 more pounds of muscle while keeping the same athleticism and foot speed. I’m working out at a football complex, so I should be able to accomplish that, I’m hoping to play next year at maybe 280 or 275.
BDN: What are the most important things you are looking for in a college?
Definitely for me it’s football, academics, and the people associated with the program. Football speaks for itself, you want a team that’s doing well, a team that’s got support within the community. Academics are a huge factor to me, as you can see in my top couple schools. Football’s not forever, NFL doesn’t last for long if it even does happen, so you need something to go back on, something that prepares you for the rest of your life. And also just the people associated with the program, the kids, the players and all the coaches. You’re going to be spending so much time with them, if you don’t like them then you’re going to be miserable. I’ve been really careful with my visits to try and get around as many people as I can, for me that’s really important.
BDN: You mentioned obviously your top schools. How did you narrow things down to these schools or what set them apart for you?
I kind of narrowed down my list as far as academics. Schools would come into my school and I would tell them I’m not really interested. That was a big point, I eliminated the schools I wasn’t really interested in from an academic standpoint. Then when I had the list of schools I was interested in, I went on my visits and my favorite coaches, campuses, and all my visits I just really loved all the ACC schools on my list. I just loved them absolutely all, I got a great feeling when I was on campus and that’s just how I narrowed it down.
BDN: Can you talk a little bit about the ACC schools and what specifically stood out to you about each of them?
I’ll start out close to home with BC, they were the first school to start recruiting me, they have been recruiting me for awhile now, and I’ve built up a really good relationship with Coach John Devine, the Offensive Line Coach at BC. He happens to recruits my area and he happens to coach my position. He’s been in and out of my school so many different times. I’ve talked to him a ton, went to camp last year there, met with him a bunch. I’ve worked with him, he’s coached me. I’ve got a great relationship with him, obviously it’s close to home, which is nice, but it’s not a deciding factor for me, but it has some positives to it. It’s a great school academically and I know a couple kids on the team.
For Virginia, when I was on campus the feeling I got was just unbelievable. It’s such an unbelievable place, it’s so historic and the grounds are unbelievable, it’s like a country club walking around. Coach Reed, who’s the defensive coordinator, was also one fo the first coaches to start recruiting me as well. When I met with Coach London, he’s a pretty unbelievable guy as well, he’s pretty passionate about his players and seems to really care for everyone. That’s definitely a positive. On my overnight, I absolutely loved the kids, the kids were great, I had a great time with them, I definitely fit in with them.
For Duke, I grew up as a Duke basketball fan and it’s just so cool getting to be down there. It’s also an unbelievable place. The whole campus is pretty unbelievable, it’s such a great school, it’s one of the top ten schools in the country academically which obviously speaks for itself. Coach Cut is doing great things with the program, he’s really got a vision in mind to turn things around. Not only does he have a vision, he has a plan, you know they’re building a new stadium, building a new indoor facility. Their recruiting classes just keep getting better and better and their win total keeps going up and up. That’s a program that’s definitely on the rise and with such good academics it’s definitely a good package.
BDN: Obviously you’re also considering a couple Midwest schools in Northwestern and Michigan, and I’m sure your visits went well there also.
Yeah definitely.
BDN: All of your finalists are such great schools and you really can’t go wrong, but how do you plan on narrowing it down and making your decision?
I’ve just been talking a bunch with my parents, just remembering back to my visits. We put some things down on paper on my visits. Now we’re starting to actually make a list of ranking the schools in certain things and weighing them as far as what’s most important to me. Whatever school comes out on top, and if a certain school comes out on top and it doesn’t feel right, then I say I don’t know if that’s a school that I want to go, but if a certain school does come out on top and it feels right, then I’m like that’s the place.
BDN: When are you hoping to make your final decision?
Definitely soon. I don’t have an exact timetable, whenever it feels right to be honest. It could be tomorrow, it could be in three weeks. As soon as possible, but I don’t want to rush it.
Duke would love to add pass-rushing DE Woody Baron to their class of 2012
The Duke coaching staff got an early start in targeting a group of top defensive linemen in the class of 2012 and have remained aggressive in their pursuit of these athletic prospects throughout the spring. The Blue Devils have been recruiting Woody Baron since the beginning of the year, and the big pass-rusher has been "talking to Duke a lot lately." At 6'3" and 252 pounds, Baron had a huge junior season at defensive end for Brentwood Academy, totaling 50 tackles and 17 sacks, which earned him a Finalist nomination for Mr. Football in Tennessee, along with All-District and All-MidState honors. College football is not new to Woody, as his uncle played at Virginia Tech, another ACC school that has been in pursuit of the athletic lineman. With over half a dozen scholarship offers in hand, Baron is looking to finish up his recruiting process soon.
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BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths as a player?
I think some of my strengths, I enjoy rushing the passer, and definitely my finesse and my speed are what I rely on. My work ethic is definitely what I go to, to get better at every aspect of my senior year.
BDN: What are some of the things you have been working on as you prepare for your senior year?
This summer I’m taking it back, a little bit of fundamentals, getting my steps together, making sure I’m not wasting any steps, trying to improve my speed going into this upcoming football season. Always getting stronger and increasing my flexibility.
BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?
For my team this year I just would like to win it all, go out with a bang, we just need to execute. As far as myself, I just want to get better every day, give these colleges the most I can when I eventually do commit.
BDN: What are the most important things you’re looking for in a college?
When I look at schools, I look at the degree first. What kind of degree am I going to get from the school I’m going to? Then I look at the winning history at the school and what kind of defense they play.
BDN: Where do schools see you fitting into their defense?
Most schools are looking at me as a defensive end, but there are a couple of them that said they want to move me around a little bit.
BDN: Which schools have you had the most contact with so far?
This spring it kind of slowed down as we got out of school. I would say the ones that have been consistently in contact with me were of course Virginia Tech, I’ve been talking to Duke a lot lately, Vanderbilt, and Syracuse has been calling me a lot lately.
BDN: Have you had a chance to take any visits yet?
I’ve been to Virginia Tech, I’ve been to Vanderbilt since it’s so close, and those are the only two that I’ve been able to personally go.
BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process, either from your visits or your relationships with the coaches?
When you go through this process, every coach, you’re going to get the good face of any coach that wants you to come to their school, but I’ve gotten the best vibes from Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt. They really, I really like the coaches, I’ve met them, I like the attitudes they have towards their players, not only the work ethic they have but they genuinely care about the players on their team.
BDN: Do you have an idea for how you would like to narrow things down and make your decision?
There are some schools that I could narrow it down probably in my head, but I need to do some research on some other offers that I have. So I’m debating on whether to commit before the season or during the season. I want to get it out of the way, honestly.
BDN: Is there anything else you think is important for college football fans to know about you?
I don’t think so, I’m not that special. I do have an Under Armour All-American nomination.
BDN: Thanks a lot, Woody, and best of luck to you.
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