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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Perry Ellis a Duke Fan since Elementary School


In Kansas, there isn't much that 6'8" rising senior Perry Ellis of Wichita hasn't accomplished. Ellis won three consecutive state titles and Gatorade Player of the Year awards, earned a 4.0 grade point average, and began a side job at a nursery in June to earn some extra money.

Taking a school that had not won a state title in thirty-two years, the forward has won seventy-two of the seventy-five games that he's suited up for the Falcons, including forty-four consecutive high school games, of Heights High School, which produced former NBA player Antoine Carr and current Met pitcher Mike Pelfrey. In 2010, Ellis, whose face-up game is relatively advanced for a rising senior, shot 74.9% from the field, including 33.3% from beyond the three-point arc, and 71.6% from the charity stripe.

The second of four children of Fonda, a two-time Iowa HS state champ in track, and Will Ellis, a former basketball player at Briar Cliff University, Perry Ellis brings a fluidity, efficiency, and natural scoring ability to the court that has some of the nation's top programs chasing after him. Recently, he missed the NBA Top 100 camp in Charlottesville, VA in order to rest up for the July live periods.

Due to the severe time constraints that the NCAA has enacted, a coaching staff needs to allocate their valuable resources, their coaches' time, in the most efficient way possible, in order to both evaluate players and demonstrate their commitment to their top individual prospects during the July period. In his first game of the July live period, Perry Ellis tipped off at North Central High School in Indianapolis for Kansas Pray and Play AAU program in the Adidas Invitational. Seated front row were a trio of Duke University coaches: Mike Krzyzewski, Jeff Capel, and Steve Wojciechowski.

Duke's recent interest in Perry Ellis immediately ties into the arrival of Coach Capel, who has closely recruited Perry, the most decorated Kansan high school basketball player in history, since his freshman year in Wichita. Ellis, a self-described Dukie in elementary school, immediately added the Blue Devils to his final list of colleges.

After that initial game at the Adidas Invitational, the industrious Perry Ellis spoke with Blue Devil Nation and (2639) word interview ahead for members [private] Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader about a variety of topics, including Coach Jeff Capel, the myth of his prior souring on Duke, and his new summer job.

How is your tendonitis?  - [/private]

It's doing a lot better. I took like a week off. It's just a lot of icing and resting that's the only thing you can do. So, I mean you've got to play through it too. Like they said, seventy percent of the NBA players have it so…

Do they view it as a major long-term issue?

I haven't really went to the doctor and really, you know, gotten an answer on that one yet…so I just don't know. Yeah.

Where do you have the tendonitis?

In both of my knees.

How much of a hindrance is it to you? I mean how much pain are you playing with or through right now.

Hmmm, I wouldn't call it pain in that game. It felt real good. I just need to stretch after the game and keep that rotation going. I think that will help me.

What do you view as your strengths right now and areas for improvement?

Um, when I get the ball, I just need to attack even more because I can score. I feel I can always score out there, but I just need to attack more. I think there are times out there where I'm a little too passive…so I need to attack. That's what I need to improve upon. I need to make attacking even more of a priority. Just attack.

And in terms of your strengths, scoring?

I think being able to go coast-to-coast.

Yeah, well, you demonstrated that today.

Yeah. I think I'm able to rebound it and just push it against my defender…like I'm really able to take them off the dribble pretty well.

What's current height and weight?

6'8" and 220.

Do you want to get bigger? What are your goals, physically, for next season?

Um, well, I want to be around 230 maybe for next year. That'll hopefully be real solid, lean weight. In terms of height, I might grow some more and I might not. We'll see what happens.

How much of an adjustment is there between the high school competition that you face in Wichita and in a normal AAU game in July?

Well, I would say that they play a lot harder. I would say. There are also a lot more bigger and stronger players here too I would say. You've got to adjust. The main thing I'd say is simply getting used to the bigger and stronger players. More talented too.

(J. Tipton) Why do you think that you were passive at times?

Um, I think I'm one of the best scorers on our team and I feel that, if I go out there and shoot more, then maybe we'd have abetter chance to win the game. Like in that game,you know, some of those shots I should've shot, but I just passed it around. I mean it's a disappointing loss.

You had cut down your list of schools to six of them. What are some positive things about each of those programs?

Okay, I mean KU is close. I like all of the coaches there. Good players and good people. With K. State, it's close and they got a real family vibe. It feels like a real family. I mean there's a lot of good people there too. With Wichita State, it's really, really close. It's like a five minute drive. Then, let's see, with Kentucky, they're putting out pros and developing players and I like Calipari. I like how his approach to the game and to his players is.

(J. Tipton) What do you mean?

I mean he's not real on you. Like…he lets you roam free and he's not always on you. That's how I see him. With Memphis, it's like that too. He's not micro-managing you. My sister went there and I've been there a couple of times. And Duke…

(J. Tipton) Your sister goes there?

Yeah, she graduated this year.

(J.Tipton) Was she an athlete?

(BDN) Yeah, she played basketball there.

Yeah, she played basketball. She was more of a defensive player. She finished third all-time in blocks.

No biggie.

(laughs) And, with Duke, when Capel went there, they started contacting me. It's just an honor to be seen or to be wanted by them, you know.

I saw three of their coaches here watching you today.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely, I've been talking to them a lot lately. I want to go out there and check it out.

(J. Tipton) Why is it an honor to be recruited by Duke? You didn't mention "honor" when you were talking about the other schools. Why is it an "honor" for Duke?

Well, with all Coach K has done with Team USA, the championships, the players he's worked with, the hard academics…it's humbling.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, but why did you decide to take a summer job at a nursery? I've got to say that it's pretty unusual for an elite basketball player to work a side job during the summer these days.

(laughs) Yeah, man, but you know you get a good workout from the tree moving and loading and unloading. It's my first real job.

Was that your idea or your mother's?

It was my idea. I just wanted to get some extra money.

The legal way

(laughs)

(J. Tipton) How did that come about? How did you get the job? I'd like to get my son to get out there.

Well, I wanted a job and I liked working outside.

What about those early morning workouts at the Y? What do you work on there? Is it mostly working on your body or skill development?

Well, there's a lot of ball-handling and a lot of ball-handling and working on shooting off of the dribble.

Do you view yourself as a combo forward or a face-up four?

A combo guy really.

What style of play do you prefer?

I like to run up and down as much as possible. I think it fits my game a little more.

Who do you try to model your game after?

I wouldn't say that I really try to model my game, but my two favorite players are LeBron and Kevin Durant. I watch them a lot and try to pick up on stuff that they do.

(J. Tipton) How long have you been working at the nursery?

Since the beginning of June.

(J. Tipton) And what sort of things are you doing for them?

Loading cars…Like, if they buy their stuff, you know, plants, trees, whatever, I just load it in.

(J. Tipton) Do you dig holes to plant the trees and stuff?

Yeah, I did that once.

Don't throw out your back loading up someone's birch tree. Speaking of that, how has your back-to-the-basket game improved over your high school years? Is it something that you've tried to develop lately?

Yeah, well, you know, in high school, I play a lot of the post and so that helps out too. I mean it's improved, but it's also something that I keep trying to work on…you know, piece by piece.

Have you taken any visits recently and do you have any planned?

I haven't taken any recently and I'm not sure if I'm going to visit any this summer or just go onto my officials…whenever it's time t do that. I'm not sure yet.

In terms of timeline, do you have one in mind for when you'd like to decide by?

I don't really have one. I'm just gonna wait and see which one feels right.

(J. Tipton) Did anyone come in late to your recruitment? Did Duke come in later than the other schools?

Yeah, Duke was probably the latest one to come in.

(J. Tipton) When did they come in?

Pretty much right when Capel went there.

(J. Tipton) So, that was this spring, right?

Yeah.

What would you like to do after your basketball playing career is over? Have you thought about that at all?

I want to do something to help kids like become a coach or something. That's what I'm thinking of right now because I really like to help kids. I like working with them.

I know you're supposed to be a 4.0 student, but you attributed more to hard work than necessarily being exceptionally smart. Can you touch on that and your work ethic required to achieve a 4.0?

Yeah, it's tough for me. It's not easy to achieve. It just doesn't come easy to me, you know, I have to work for it. I always need to push myself to achieve high grades.

I don't think some kids recognize that it can be a grind and time-consuming.

Yeah, yeah, exactly, they think I'm super smart. I mean I'm smart, but I've also got to be really careful about how I use my time and what I do with it. I've got to really work for it and you're right some people take it for granted.

(J. Tipton) How long does it take for you to do your homework or get tutoring?

An hour because I get a lot done in school too. I work during all the time I get because of the hour long or hour and a half long classes.

(J. Tipton)What do you hope to do with your academics? Have you thought about that?

No.

What can you tell the audience about your mother and her influence? I've seen her at a lot of events over the years.

Sure, she helps me a lot with, like, taking the pressure off of me. She takes a lot of the pressure off as far as the recruiting part.

She deals with the coaches, right?

Yeah, she deals with all of that. That helps a lot.

Touch on the USA Basketball experience.

Yeah, after my freshman year, I mean it was a good experience, but I didn't ultimately go with the team and stuff, you know, I went to the Nike camps and stuff, but it was a good experience for me. You know just to try something new.

(J. Tipton) Do you enjoy being regarded as a highly regarded basketball prospect?

Yeah, I do. I look at it as there are not a lot of people that get a chance to have this. I feel like I need to just take this opportunity and just go with it.

Is it more enjoyable or stressful right now?

It's enjoyable, but there are times where it can really bug you. I mean like when there's so much, but, for the most part, it's been okay.

Since you've already mentioned him a couple of times, what's your relationship like with Coach Jeff Capel?

Oh, we've got a real good relationship. When he was at OU, I used to go up there all the time. I used to talk with him. I mean he's a really nice and good person. I mean that'll help. That'll help me talk with Duke, you know, so…

(J. Tipton) Kentucky's gotten a name as one-and-done university I've noticed. What kind of an impression does that make on you?

I just want to go to college, play my hardest, do my best, and whatever happens, happens. If I have to stay, I'll stay. I just want to do whatever I have to do.

There's this sort of perception or myth that you grew up a Duke fan, but then became angry with them because they didn't immediately offer you. Can you address that rumor or whatever you want to call it?

I mean I was real young. When I was in elementary school and all, I was a real Dukie.

Did you become angry when they didn't offer you as early as some other programs, which offered you as a freshman?

(laughs) No, because before I started talking to them. I wasn't even being recruited so, you know

(J. Tipton) What made you stop liking them?

You know I don't even really remember.

Well, you must've like them enough that they're right on your final six.

Yeah, I mean I definitely still like them.

(J. Tipton) What made you like them to start with? What made you a real "Dukie?"

Honestly, I don't remember the original reason.

What was your reaction when they ultimately offered you?

I was excited. I was definitely excited because I didn't think they'd ever recruit me. Because, you know, Capel and K, man, they're real good friends and real close and, you know, I don't think they wanted to hurt anyone. I mean that's one of the reasons why I really am looking seriously at them. I like that loyalty.

He didn't want to take a player from his old or former student.

Yeah, yeah.

Are you excited about now playing with your brothers next year?

Yeah, yeah, definitely. Hopefully, we'll all three get to play varsity next year. It'll be fun. That doesn't happen a lot.

Do you guys play a lot together at the Y or wherever?

Yeah, at the Y and at the school…wherever we can.

What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?

Say that I play Xbox hard.

Last question, what are your goals for next season?

I'm going to try to go undefeated again, get another state championship, and whatever accolades will come, will come hopefully.

Like becoming a McDonald's All-American?

Yeah, exactly, I've got to keep playing hard this summer and that'll help with that too.

Thank you very much, Perry.

Sure, sure. [/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Duke aggressively recruiting star Florida athlete Marcus Allen for class of 2012

Star student-athlete Marcus Allen would be a great fit at LB in Durham

With thirteen verbal commitments received in the class of 2012, Duke has only a few remaining scholarships available and are looking to fill a few outstanding needs. With California LB Deion Williams already committed, Duke still has a spot to add another athletic linebacker with one of their remaining scholarships. Though the staff has long been in aggressive pursuit of in-state star Keilin Rayner, another athlete out of the Jacksonville, FL area has caught their attention. Marcus Allen is a 6’2” 210 pound athlete from Hilliard HS in Hilliard, FL. A star in basketball and track, Marcus played just his first year of football last fall as a junior and his natural ability earned him plenty of playing time for the Flashes on both sides of the ball. Primarily a running back and linebacker, Allen has earned over 20 scholarship offers this spring and summer, and has recently been busy taking unofficial visits across the Southeast. Duke Assistant Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Jim Collins has produced several All-ACC linebackers during his time in Durham, including recent stars Mike Tauiliili and Vincent Rey (now with the Cincinnati Bengals). As a standout both on the field and in the classroom (he boasts a 4.0 GPA), Allen could become another star student-athlete for Coach Collins and the Blue Devils, if he chooses to join fellow Jacksonville-area natives Dwayne Norman, Erich Schneider, and Thomas Sirk in the Blue Devils’ class of 2012. [private]

BDN: Can you start out by describing your strengths as a player?

Well, this is my first year playing high school football, so my strengths are just my natural ability to play the game of football and my quick ability to learn, catch onto things quickly, and just being able to use my athleticism.

BDN: You played all over the field in your first year at Hilliard; is there a position you prefer, or a position that college coaches are recruiting you for?

At running back and at linebacker.

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

Just working on more agility and fundamentals.

BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?

My first goal is to have a winning season, I think we’ve made a lot of progress over the spring and the summer. That’s the main goal to have a winning season and make it to the playoffs.

BDN: What are the most important factors you’re looking for in a college?

I’m looking for the best combination of academics and athletics. Just a place that fits me, a program to help me become a better person for my future, teach me how to do finances and stuff like that.

BDN: You mentioned academics as important to you; is there a particular field you are interested in studying?

I’m still undecided.

BDN: What schools would you say have been recruiting you the hardest?

I’d say Tennessee, Duke, Vanderbilt…Kentucky…Arkansas, Boston College.

BDN: Sounds like a good mix of ACC and SEC programs; is there a school or conference that you’ve grown up following?

Not really.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hilliard's Marcus Allen made a stop in historic Cameron Indoor Stadium during his visit to Duke

 

 

 

 

 

BDN: Which schools have you had a chance to visit so far?

Well I’ve been able to visit Florida, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Clemson, and I think that’s it.

BDN: Did any of those schools seem to have the combination of academics and athletics that you’re looking for?

They’re all pretty similar, they all have a lot of great things to offer, I didn’t have any stand out just from my visits.

BDN: Do you have an idea for how or when you want to narrow things down and make your decision?

I’m trying to narrow things down some, but I still want to take my official visits, and make sure I have all the information I need to make my final decision.

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

I’m just a guy from a small town that’s trying to make a big impact. For the kids that come from small towns, just show that anybody can make it in college football if you work at it enough.

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

Alright, you too.

[/private]

 

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

T.G.I. Football Friday

Happy Friday, Blue Devil Nation! A nice, shortened week should make you feel good but if not, Football Friday is here to satisfy your weekly football craving. As you know, there’s never an offseason here at BDN, and Mark Watson and Andrew Slater have been burning the midnight oil all week with great basketball coverage. Be sure to check it out, and invite your friends to join our growing community of Duke fans. If you tell two people, and they tell two people, well, then that’s some kind of crazy math that I don’t remember how to do. Before my brain stops working, we better get going…

Blue Devils feeling the love

Coach Cutcliffe has senior Donovan Varner and the Blue Devils expecting to win in 2011-GoDuke, Duke Photography

Four Duke players were named to preseason Award Watch Lists this week, while a few others may have been overlooked. Coming off a three win season, it’s only natural that Duke might have a few players fly under the radar on the national level, but that should all change this fall, as the Blue Devils pursue bowl eligibility. In any case, it’s a nice honor for the Duke players who were recognized this week, and we congratulate them, but look forward to an even better 2011.

Cooper Helfet – John Mackey Award Watch List

Will Snyderwine – Lou Groza Award Watch List

Donovan Varner – Biletnikoff Award Watch List

Conner Vernon – Biletnikoff Award Watch List

The Dondo Files

Part of our job here at BDN is to help give fans an inside look at the Duke players and coaches. Sometimes, however, the players and coaches do the job for us. This week, Duke’s star senior WR Donovan Varner created the first entry in his self-produced video blog, The Dondo Files. Varner is poised for a big senior year, and we hope his video blog will be a good inside look into his season, and the Blue Devils’ first bowl game in over a decade.

Sir Nolan Smith models a Middle Child shirt

Middle Child

Another interesting venture by two Blue Devils is Middle Child, a clothing line created by Johnny Williams and marketed by Matt Daniels. For those who missed Johnny’s cartoon series for GoDuke last year, take a look at his clothing designs, which show off the Duke cornerback’s impressive artistic ability. And if ndotsmitty is wearing it, you know it’s hot!

Doing work in the classroom

While we’re applauding the Blue Devils’ off the field efforts, it’s important to point out that last year’s team had a cumulative GPA of 3.1, which included 13 ACC All-Academic selections, more than twice any other school. As we’ve said before, it’s great to see that as Duke builds the program on the field, they continue to uphold the university’s strong academic reputation. The Duke players are setting themselves up for a great future and truly embody the concept of the student-athlete.

Come on, come on…

Kickoff on September 3 is just 57 days away, with training camp opening in just a few short weeks, so be sure to get your season tickets now. With spring practice having wrapped up in March, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen the Blue Devils on the field in Wallace Wade Stadium. For the Duke Football faithful, we share your pain, and hope that these last few weeks fly by. We’ve kicked off our opponent preview series this week to help speed things up for you. Be sure to check out the Richmond preview, and check back on Sunday for our Stanford preview. In the meantime, if anyone happens to see me camped outside of Wallace Wade like Eric Cartman waiting for the Nintendo Wii, can you bring me a sandwich?

Duke and Richmond will kickoff the 2011 under the lights in Wallace Wade Stadium on September 3

Please make sure you have all your belongings…

…as you exit Football Friday. While we love to share with the whole class, we also like to reward our Premium Members. We have the latest recruiting information for Duke’s class of 2012, and well, you’ll just have to join to find out…[private]

A slow recruiting week!

We’re all for the fast-paced summer recruiting season, but it is nice to be able to catch your breath every once in awhile. While it’s impossible to predict things in recruiting, it seems like things may slow down a little bit as we head into training camp. Duke has 13 commitments in the class of 2012, with an absolute maximum of 18 scholarships available. The coaching staff would like to add 4 more players to this class, and will hold a spot for a potential program-changer, should he decide to be a Blue Devil late in the recruiting season. Here are the staff’s remaining targets.:

Running backs

Jela Duncan 5’10” 190 pounds, Charlotte, NC

Todd Gurley 6’1” 195 pounds, Tarboro, NC

Linebackers

Marcus Allen 6’2” 210 pounds, Hilliard, FL

Keilin Rayner 6’3” 220 pounds, Leland, NC

Wide Receivers

Drae Bowles 6’1” 198 pounds, Jackson, TN

Anthony Nash 6’5” 185 pounds, West Chester, PA

Defensive linemen

Torey Agee 6’3” 250 pounds, Opelika, AL

Woody Baron 6’3” 252 pounds, Brentwood, TN

Korren Kirven 6’4” 272 pounds, Lynchburg, VA

David Reader 6’2” 340 pounds, Greensboro, NC

Nigel Williams 6’3” 260 pounds, Richmond, VA

Courtnye Wynn 6’6” 240 pounds, Norfolk, VA

A couple notes on this group: Todd Gurley has been in France, running track for Team USA, which has led him to miss “The Opening” in Oregon this week. Korren Kirven is the only member of this group that is in Oregon, and while Duke has made a good impression, the reality is that he may be a long-shot for the Blue Devils. Woody Baron, as we reported awhile ago, appears to be down to Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt, but if Duke could get a visit, you never know.

Do you like surprises? Well, I actually am not a big fan, so I’ll just give you the update. Once the dust settles on the LBJ and Adidas coverage, we’ll have new interviews with Marcus Allen, Keilin Rayner, Anthony Nash, and David Reader. We’ll be getting in touch with the other remaining targets, too, but we have to pace ourselves!

Thanks for being a member and a loyal Football Friday patron. We hope you enjoy our coverage and always would love to hear more from you on the message boards.

[/private]

WE ARE DUKE.

 

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Adidas Invitational Day One – Duke Coaches on the Trail

The Duke coaches were checking out prospects during the first day of the Adidas invitational and BDN Premium was right there as well.

Every college basketball coach and staff in America is currently checking out the nations top prospects at various shoe camps.  BDN's Andrew Slater was on the scene at the Adidas Invitational yesterday where he followed the Duke prospects you want to hear of.  Today, he'll head to the LeBron James Skills Academy where his coverage continues.

During the first day of camp, Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Steve Wojciechowski and Jeff Capel took in the action.  Krzyzewski watched Perry Ellis and Shabazz Muhammad play twice and he also checked out Nate Britt and some other names.

The day started when the trio of coaches were front row, center for the Kansas Pray and Play Players/Pump and Run vs New England Elite match up where their focus was on Perry Ellis but his team lost.  They then took in Brannen Greenes' Atlanta 16 team that absolutely crushed Indiana Elite 63-41 while he dropped 20 points.  When asked  if he noticed the three Duke coaches watching him, he acknowledged it.

The staff also checked out the New England Playazz who of course have Kaleb Tarczewski.  A bevy of coaches were in attendance for this game as well, but it was NEP point guard Makai Mason ('14) who said he had received interest from Duke that caught their eye as well.

The entire Duke staff sat with Tommy Amaker (Harvard) and Johnny  Dawkins (Stanford) for the Dream Vision vs. Indiana Elite game.  There focus was Shabazz Muhammad and he tossed in 39 points in a dominating performance.  Other coaches watching were UNC coached McGrath and head man Roy Williams as well as Howland, Romar, Self, Calipari, Carmody, Gottfried, Stallings, Crean, Haith, Sendek, Thompson and Floyd.  The staff caught Muhammads' night game too, where he finished with 18 as his team squandered a chance at a second victory in the last minute of play.

The staff also watched D.C. Assault and Nate Britt with Curtis Malone, Nolan's stepdad,  seated right behind the DCA bench.  After being saddled by early foul trouble, Britt dropped in a layup to cut it to 68-67 EG --37 seconds remaining, the game went to overtime where DCA pulled out the win on a three point shot at the buzzer.  Britt finished with 18.

Meanwhile, on another court, Perry Ellis tossed in 32 points in a stellar performance and Coach K had switched over to see him from Britts' game and had to be pleased with what he saw.

For more details including prospect comments and vital tidbits of information including prospect analysis, join Blue Devil Nation Premium for full site access.  BDN Premium is the "only" Duke site that covers all the major recruiting events in person.  If you think the above information is cool, think about what awaits you as a member.  Once a member, go to our subscribers message board where Andre Slater is streaming information as it happens from the Adidas Invitational and the LeBron James Skills Academy.  See for yourself the difference in quality, and consistent coverage of "true" Duke targets as our top notch staff never rests in an effort to bring you closer to the action than imaginable.  I personally invite you to join BDN Premium, our extended subscription service and compare our coverage to anyone, anywhere on planet earth.

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Duke targets star in-state running back Jela Duncan

The Duke staff believes Mallard Creek's Jela Duncan could be an impact player in Durham

With fall training camp just one month away, the Duke coaching staff is hoping to close out their July by adding the final pieces to the class of 2012. The Blue Devils have already had a busy summer, securing 13 verbal commitments before Independence Day. Looking at the projected Duke roster, however, there are a few noticeable missing pieces. With four upperclassmen projected at the position, running back appears to be one of the Blue Devils' biggest remaining needs. The Duke coaching staff has demonstrated a willingness to play true freshmen in the backfield, with in-state stars Desmond Scott and Josh Snead both receiving carries in their first year in Durham. In the class of 2012, it's no secret that the Blue Devils have two more in-state running backs at the top of their wish list, hoping to continue the trend. [private]

Jela Duncan is a 5'10" 190 pound running back from Mallard Creek HS in Charlotte, NC. In his first full season at running back, Duncan helped Mallard Creek to a 13-1 record, rushing for 1,375 yards on 101 carries with 17 touchdowns, despite missing three games. His junior year performance earned 1st Team I-Meck Conference and plenty of attention from college coaches. Now that he is approaching double digit scholarship offers, including Pittsburgh, Purdue, and Wake Forest, it's safe to say his recruitment is in full swing. Duke hopes that Duncan will join a growing pipeline of young players from the Greater Charlotte area, including OL Casey Blaser, LB Kelby Brown, LB Kyler Brown, WR Jamison Crowder, DL Carson Ginn, LB Britton Grier and DL Carlos Wray. After an impressive performance at Duke's camp in June, Duncan could be the next impact freshman running back in Durham.

BDN: What are some of your strengths as a running back?

I would have to say I’m a power back, but I have great speed, too.. I’m more cut and go, I can catch it out of the backfield, I have really good hands, and I just like to make plays for my team.

BDN: What have you been working on this summer?

Footwoork and speed, speed training. I’ve been in the weight room, so mostly all-around.

BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?

State championship, first of all. And I’m hoping to go over 2,000 yards this year.

BDN: As you approach your college decision, what are you looking for in a school?

I want it to feel like it’s home, like all the players are just one, the coaches are one, they’re real with me. They like hard work just like I like hard work, and it’s just a family football environment.

BDN: Which schools have been recruiting you the hardest this summer?

Duke, first of all. And then Purdue started to come into the picture, and Pittsburgh.

BDN: Which schools have you had a chance to visit so far?

I went up to Duke for their football camp about three weeks ago. And I’ve been to NC State two weeks ago, and I’ve been up to Virginia and Virginia Tech.

BDN: What were some of the things that stood out on your visits?

Well, the Virginia Tech visit, it was really exciting. The fans are just crazy. When we first pulled up, they were all out there tailgating for their spring game. It was almost full, it was amazing how loyal those fans are up there.

Duke, it was really good. The players were bonded together. They seemed like they were one family. There was one guy, he left his iPod on the charger, and it was just sitting there, nobody touched it, then he came back and it was still there. It was great to see.

The Virginia visit, it was pretty cool. It was a pretty cool visit. I went up there for a spring basketball game, so I didn’t get to chill with the players very much, but they seemed pretty cool though.

NC State – that went pretty good. I got to met the head coach. He seemed like a really cool guy, he seemed like he wanted to win some ball games.

BDN: What are your plans for the rest of the summer?

Well, we’ve got a national 7-on-7 to go to this Thursday, so we’ll be training for that the next two days. I probably won’t go on any more visits or camps, well I might go to the Wake Forest camp, that will probably be my last one.

BDN: Do you have an idea for when or how you would like to narrow things down?

It’s just going to have to come to me, because I’m not planning on making the decision anytime soon, really.

BDN: Is there anything else you want college football fans to know about you?

I’m a hard worker, I love hard work, I love it, that’s what drives me and my team.

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

Yes sir, thank you. You have a good day.

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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Run-stopping DE Torey Agee says Duke has “everything I’m looking for”

Duke was among the first schools to offer Alabama DE Torey Agee

With the addition of veteran Defensive Line Coach Rick Petri this offseason, expectations are high for the Blue Devils’ defensive line in 2011 and beyond. Prior to his arrival in Durham, Coach Petri has tutored some of the top units in the country at Miami, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. Throughout his career, Coach Petri has mentored numerous All-SEC and All-ACC defensive linemen, including NFL stars such as Warren Sapp and John Abraham. With a young group of athletic defensive linemen already in Durham, Coach Petri and the Duke coaching staff are looking to bring in potential impact players in the class of 2012. With three talented prospects already verbally committed, Duke is focusing their recruiting efforts on a handful of top recruits, including a big-time run-stopper from Alabama. Torey Agee is a 6’4” 250 pound defensive end from Opelika, AL and the son of former Auburn star Tommie Agee. Since we last spoke with Torey, he’s earned scholarship offers from several top schools, including Stanford and Vanderbilt. The star student-athlete was in Durham this past weekend and caught up with BDN to give his thoughts on his visit. [private]

 

BDN: Which schools have been recruiting you the hardest this spring and summer?

At this point, the schools that have really be in contact with me besides Duke have been Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Southern Miss, and Auburn.

BDN: Which schools have you had a chance to visit recently?

So far I’ve only had a chance to visit Georgia Tech and Duke, but I have plans for other visits later on this summer.

BDN: Do you know which schools you are planning to visit, or is that still up in the air?

I know I’m going to Vanderbilt and I’m probably going to go to camps at Auburn and Troy.

BDN: How did your visits to Duke and Georgia Tech go?

Both those schools are great, they have exactly what I’m looking for and that’s a strong academic program, so it’s right up my alley. Both campuses are beautiful, the football teams are good, the coaches are great, it was just a wonderful trip.

BDN: Since it’s fresh in your mind, can you talk a little about your visit to Duke this weekend?

The Duke visit was great. We toured the whole campus and met some of the coaches and some of the players and they told me what it would be like in a typical day if I became a Blue Devil. It was great, you know, I’m still kind of taking it all in.

BDN: Last time we spoke, you were taking your time with the process. Now that you’ve taken a few visits, do you know how or when you want to start to narrow things down?

No, I’m still pretty much taking my time, like I said,  I don’t really want to rush into anything, so I’m just taking it slow this summer, visiting a bunch of places and trying to get my thoughts together before I pick a school to go to.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Torey, and we look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Alright, thank you.

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