Tag Archives: Duke Football Commitment

Duke Football

Duke adds 5th commitment in 2013 from in-state ATH Dequavais Mann

Northern Nash ATH Quay Mann is Duke's 5th commitment in 2013

Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils have been on a roll over the past two weeks on the recruiting trail, securing 5 verbal commitments in the class of 2013. On Monday evening, they added another talented athlete to their defensive backfield in Northern Nash's Dequavais "Quay" Mann. The 5'9" 185 pound athlete picked up a scholarship offer from the Blue Devils on Saturday during his visit for the annual spring game. Mann has showcased his speed and skills on the combine circuit this spring, posting a 4.42 second 40-yard dash and earning several accolades from coaches and scouts. The speedy athlete is likely to join fellow class of 2013 commit Evrett Edwards at cornerback in Durham, but has also showcased his abilities on offense and in the return game at the high school level. BDN spoke with Quay earlier this spring, and also caught up with him just minutes after his commitment to the Blue Devils.

BDN: Congratulations on your decision, Quay. What was is that led you to your decision to commit to Duke tonight?

Yes sir, I committed to Duke about 25 minutes ago. I just love the atmosphere down there, I love Coach Cut and what he's telling me. I just love the way it feels like a second home there, it feels good. It's close to home, so my family will get to come see me on Saturdays. It just is a great fit, you know, great academics, get a degree from Duke...it was a bunch of different things that went into my decision.

BDN: What did the coaching staff have to say when they heard about your decision?

Coach Cut was very excited when I told him, he made the comment that he was anxious to get the best cornerback in the nation to campus, so he was just really excited about that and  talked about how much I can help them on defense and maybe a little bit on offense and in the return game also.

BDN: What should Duke fans expect to see from you on the field?

As soon as I get on campus, I'm going to work hard, try my best and help my new teammates to turn it around, you know, Coach Cut has done a great job down there building up the program and I feel great to be a part of that.

BDN: We'll definitely keep in touch with you during your senior year. Congratulations on your commitment, Quay, and best of luck this fall.

Thanks a lot, Patrick.

Duke Football

Duke remains hot on the recruiting trail, adds a commitment from hard-hitting Virginia S Jake Kite

Duke gained a commitment from hard-hitting safety Jake Kite over the weekend

The Blue Devils are officially on a roll in the class of 2013, picking up their 4th commitment over the past two weeks in safety Jake Kite. Kite is a 6'1" 180 pound hard-hitter out of Roanoke, Virginia. The Blue Devils beat out in-state ACC rival NC State for Jake, the son of Chris Kite, a former UVA defensive back. Duke was the first school to extend a scholarship offer and made a strong impression on a visit earlier this spring. Kite was on hand for Duke's Spring Game this weekend, and decided to make his pledge to Coach Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils. After his junior season at Hidden Valley HS in which he totaled 149 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 5 interceptions, Kite was named Regional Player of the Year and 1st Team All-State. He runs a 4.5 second 40-yard dash and the Blue Devils hope he'll become a star in Coach Knowles 4-2-5 defense.

 

Duke Football

Duke Football lands 1st commitments in 2013 from Monroe QB Quay Chambers and TX OL Austin Davis

Monroe dual-threat QB Quay Chambers is the first commitment in Duke's class of 2013

Coach Cutcliffe added his first commitments in the Duke class of 2013 today as Monroe QB Quay Chambers and Texas OL Austin Davis committed to the Blue Devils.

Chambers is a 6'3" 190 pound dual-threat prospect from Monroe High School, the same program that has produced current Duke players Issac Blakeney and Jamison Crowder. The Blue Devils were the first program to offer Chambers a scholarship back in February, and hosted the speedy athlete on an unofficial visit on March 3. After missing most of his sophomore year with an ankle injury, Chambers finished his junior season at Monroe with 1,776 yards and 23 touchdowns through the air and 1,221 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. His efforts earned him All-Conference honors for his junior season. The Blue Devils will likely bring Chambers in as an athlete, as they have with Crowder and Blakeney. "It wasn't a hard decision because Duke was my favorite school growing up and I always wanted to go there, so when they offered me, I had to take advantage of it," Chambers told BDN Saturday afternoon. "Coach Cutcliffe and Coach Lubick have been recruiting me and talking about playing QB or WR." Chambers was also receiving interest from UNC, NC State, and ECU.

Mansfield OL Austin Davis committed to Duke on Saturday

Davis is a 6'5" 295 pound offensive lineman who projects as a center at the college level, but can also play guard and tackle. Davis received his first scholarship offer from Duke and had been receiving interest from Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, and Georgia Tech. The big prospect gave his pledge to Coach Cutcliffe during his unofficial visit on Saturday to take in the Blue Devils' spring scrimmage. A two-time 1st Team All-District selection, his highlight video can be seen here.

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

Duke Football

Duke adds Texas OL Tanner Stone to class of 2012

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.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Tanner, and welcome to Duke.

Thank you.

 

Duke Football

Shelby DE Carlos Wray Commits to Duke

DL Carlos Wray is the 7th verbal commitment in the class of 2012

The Duke staff continues to work hard on the class of 2012 and are excited to add the 6th commitment today in DE Carlos Wray. Wray informed the Duke coaching staff of his decision this morning and becomes the second defensive line commit along with DE Allen Jackson in the class of 2012. Wray is a 6’2½” 250 pound standout from Shelby, North Carolina. As a junior, he helped Shelby to a 9-6 overall record, totaling 78 tackles, 14 sacks, and forcing 3 fumbles on the year. Wray chose the Blue Devils over offers from Ball State, East Carolina, Minnesota, Wake Forest, and VMI, and had interest from Clemson, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and UNC.

Check back with BDN for more from the newest Blue Devil!

Duke Football

Duke 2012 TE commit Erich Schneider enjoys Junior Day in Durham

Duke commit Erich Schneider enjoyed his visit to Durham

While the 2012 recruiting season is just heating up, Duke got on the board early with a commitment from TE Erich Schneider. After visits to Duke last summer and fall, Erich decided that the Blue Devils were the right fit for him. Erich is a 6’6” 220 pound prospect from Jacksonville, Florida. As a junior, Erich helped lead Episcopal high school to a 5-7 overall record, falling short of the state playoffs. The tall receiving prospect was recently in Durham for Junior Day and spoke with BDN after his visit. Highlights of Erich’s junior year can be viewed here.

 

BDN: Can you start off by describing some of your strengths for fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play?

I think my size, definitely, and my speed for my size and my quickness.  So hopefully I’ll be able to get bigger, but still maintain my speed and my quickness.

BDN: What have you been working on this offseason?

My foot speed is basically the biggest thing, and just maintaining my speed, but I got to work on my foot speed the most.

BDN: You were recently in Durham for Junior Day. How did your visit go?

It was – okay, it was awesome.  I went to, first of all I went to the meetings with the coach, the whole team, and then I went with the tight ends and had a look at what they do in their meetings and stuff.  It was really neat, and then I was able to visit a practice, and that was awesome.  It was really fast, really fast playtime that they use, it was awesome.  So – and then I met some coaches, I met some of the players, and I basically just got to see what playing is all about, so that was really cool.

BDN: What were the biggest factors that led to your commitment to Duke?

Academics especially, and Coach Cutcliffe, definitely want to play for a coach like him.  He brought in that whole coaching staff, so that’s – I know in the future it’s gonna be a really strong program, and I love the offense that they run.  I’m really attracted to their receiving tight end, like myself.

BDN: Do you have plans to make any other visits this spring or summer?

Yeah, yeah, I’m probably gonna go up for a weekend or something and go to a camp there, work with the tight-end coach, maybe he’ll – and, I don’t know, I definitely am gonna go up there this summer, but I might also take my official visit there.

BDN: Have any other schools been in contact with your recently?

I’ve attempted a little bit to contact a few schools, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt a little bit, but not really.  I’m considering, but I’m pretty solidly committed to Duke right now.

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

I guess I just want to win.  I want to help the team in any way I can, but it’s kind of cliché, but true.

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

Thank you so much.  You too.