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.
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.
Booker HS WR Ricky Jones plans to visit Duke this summer
The Duke coaching staff is looking to add dynamic athletes to the class of 2012 and have been scouting the country in search of potential impact players for the program. In recent years, the Blue Devils have had success with pulling players from the state of Florida, headlined by the dynamic receiving duo of Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon. In the class of 2012, Duke is already off to a great start in Florida, securing commitments from TE Erich Schneider and SAF Dwayne Norman. Ricky Jones is a 5’10” 175 pound prospect from Sarasota, Florida. The speedy slot receiver is already up to over half a dozen scholarship offers, including the Blue Devils. Jones is developing a strong relationship with the Duke coaching staff and plans to visit Durham this summer with his teammate, DB Ezra Robinson. Highlights of Jones’ 12-touchdown junior year can be viewed here.
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BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths as a player?
Some of my strengths I believe, my after the ball ability. After I catch the ball, I feel like I’m a playmaker. I have a great burst off the line of scrimmage. I’m a slot player, a slot receiver, so I’ve got great quickness and great speed.
BDN: What are some of the things you have been working on as you prepare for your senior year?
I’ve really been working on my lateral speed and stuff like that, and working on my route running.
BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?
I believe, senior year, I just want to get better and better, beat all the rest of my years and go out strong.
BDN: What are the most important things you’re looking for in a college?
First I’m looking at the offenses and what type of offense they have. And another real strong point is academic-wise, where will it take me if football doesn’t work out? Looking at the graduation rate and stuff like that.
BDN: Is there an academic field you’re interested in studying?
Not right now, I’m still seeing what I want to do after, but I just want to see like what my major would be there if I do have it.
BDN: Which schools have you had the most contact with so far?
Wake Forest is pretty strong, Duke is very strong also.
BDN: Have you had a chance to take any visits yet?
I have plans to visit, I might be going up to North Carolina to visit with Ezra Robinson, he has family up that way so we plan on visiting a lot of schools up that way.
BDN: Is North Carolina an area you’re interested in going to school, or would you prefer to be closer to home?
I have no problem with being away from home, but not too far, I don’t want to go really, really far. I have no problem with moving away from Florida, though.
BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process, either from your visits or your relationships with the coaches?
Not really, I’m still evaluating every school and see what would be the best fit for me right now, I’ve still got almost a whole year to go.
BDN: Do you have an idea for how you would like to narrow things down and make your decision?
I believe I might be breaking it down after the summer, dropping the list from like 25 to like 15 probably, dropping down closer and closer, but I don’t have a date yet.
BDN: Thanks a lot, Ricky, and best of luck to you.
Under new defensive line coach Rick Petri, the Blue Devils have targeted some of the top defensive line prospects in the class of 2012. One of the first linemen to visit Durham and pick up a verbal scholarship offer was Korren Kirven, a 6’5” 275 pound prospect from Lynchburg, Virginia. The recently-named ESPNU150 defensive tackle is now up to over 20 scholarship offers from many of the top programs in the ACC and SEC. Kirven visited Durham again for the Nike camp on May 23 and came away with All-Camp Team honors. When BDN last spoke with Kirven, he had come away impressed with the Duke program: “Duke – their whole academic thing down there is really good…it was a good visit.” With his recruitment picking up, Korren checked back in with BDN to update his summer plans.
BDN: How has your spring been going?
We had 7-on-7 stuff, that’s almost over. We have one more event, that’s at UVA and we’re going to be traveling up there to play. That’s it with spring ball, but we’re going to be starting weight lifting, our weight-lifting program on Monday.
BDN: How has your 7-on-7 season gone?
We’ve been doing good, I think we only lost one time. Other than that, I think we’ve been pretty good.
BDN: What schools have you visited this spring?
I’m going down to UNC soon. The schools that I’ve visited, though, have been Virginia Tech, Duke, Tennessee, and Virginia. I think that’s about it, but I’m going to be doing a lot of traveling this summer.
BDN: Which coaches have had a chance to stop by to see you this spring?
Virginia Tech’s coaches, UVA, Notre Dame, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Marshall, Colorado, Texas Tech, UCF, it’s quite a few of them. There’s a lot of them, I can’t really name all of them right now, but it was quite a few of them.
BDN: Which schools have you been in contact with the most so far?
My Virginia schools I always stay in contact with, but other than that, Alabama, Tennessee, Duke, Rutgers, Stanford, Notre Dame, Colorado, and Florida have been the schools that I’ve stayed in touch with, and Maryland.
BDN: You mentioned taking a lot of visits this summer, which schools are you definitely planning to visit?
Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Stanford, Tennessee, Colorado, and possibly Oregon.
BDN: Obviously you’ve got a lot of great choices in front of you, how you do plan to start to narrow things down at this point?
Yeah, I’m going to take all my visits and slowly narrow down my list and go from there. I’ll take all my officials and then I guess I’ll have a school.
BDN: That sounds like a long way off right now, doesn’t it?
[Laughs] Yeah, yeah.
BDN: Which schools do you feel like you have the best relationship with right now?
Always the Virginia schools stand out, but like I said, Florida and Alabama, and Tennessee.
BDN: Thanks a lot, Korren, and best of luck to you.
Charlotte OL Casey Blaser has offers from Ball State, Duke, ECU, and Marshall
With camp season in full swing, recruiting has picked up quickly, and Duke has extended offers to a number of top offensive linemen across the country, and BDN is profiling some of the top 2012 offensive line prospects on Duke’s radar. In-state recruiting has been revitalized under Head Coach David Cutcliffe, and the Blue Devils have targeted an in-state offensive lineman with a recent offer. Casey Blaser is a 6’5” 261 pound offensive line prospect from Charlotte. The Blue Devils are the first ACC school to offer the hard-working lineman, who also has offers from ECU, Ball State and Marshall.
BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths for fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play?
In the offense we run, we do a lot of run-blocking, so I think I’m a good run-blocker. I have long arms, so that works. My footwork is ok, my technique is ok, they need to be improved.
BDN: What are some of the things you have been working on this spring?
Been working on my speed and my strength, and my footwork also, those have been the three main things.
BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?
For myself, just to play the best I can play and get the scholarship offer from the school I want to go to. And for the team, hopefully win a conference and state championship.
BDN: What are the most important things you are looking for in a college?
I want to have a college where I feel comfortable, where I feel like I’m at home pretty much, where the coaches are like second fathers. It’s got to have good academics and just a good vibe about it.
BDN: Which schools have you had the most contact with this spring?
Well I’ve been talking to South Carolina, ECU, Ball State, Marshall, Illinois. Those are the teams out of the ACC. The ACC schools have been UNC, Duke, NC State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Clemson.
BDN: Have you had a chance to take any visits yet?
I visited Clemson, UNC, NC State, Duke, Ball State, Illinois, I was at ECU today, and I’m planning on visiting South Carolina next week and then Georgia Tech later this summer and Virginia Tech later this summer too.
BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process, either from your visits or your relationships with the coaches?
I like most of the colleges, most of the colleges have good coaching staffs. I have to say of the ones I’ve visited, my favorite ones have been UNC, I really liked UNC today, and then I also liked Duke. Those have probably been my three favorite coaching staffs that I’ve gotten to visit personally.
BDN: Do you have an idea for how you would like to narrow things down and make your decision?
I plan on making a decision in August before the season starts, but I’m not really sure which school right now.
BDN: Is there anything else that you think is important for college football fans to know about you?
I have offers from ECU, Duke, Marshall, and Ball State.
BDN: Thanks a lot, Casey, and best of luck to you.
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