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.
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.
DL Carlos Wray is the 6th verbal commitment in the class of 2012
Is it Friday already? Time flies when you’re knee deep in recruiting season. As we did last week, we’ll share Football Friday with everyone this week. If you like reading what we have to say, please consider joining BDN Premium. We’ve quickly become the best resource for all things Duke athletics around, and we’d love to have you join our community.
College football preview season
We mentioned last week that college football previews are in full swing as magazines hit newsstands and websites begin publishing their own predictions. While Duke is flying under the radar for most prognosticators in 2011, several Blue Devil players have garnered pre-season accolades. Will Snyderwine and Conner Vernon were named as preseason 1st Team All-ACC, while Matt Daniels, Cooper Helfet, Kyle Hill, Sean Renfree, and Donovan Varner were tabbed on the 3rd Team by Athlon Sports. I would caution those who are sleeping on Renfree and Varner in 2011; both have taken huge steps forward this offseason and are poised to lead the Blue Devils to a bowl this fall.
Chris Tavarez featured
Duke’s freshman safety has already made a name for himself in the acting world, and will star in a new NBC movie, “Field of Vision.” The Blue Devils are looking forward to Tavarez’s arrival on campus later this month.
Busy week
It’s been rapid fire at BDN this week, kicking off with the Blue Devils’ 6th verbal commitment in the class of 2012. Carlos Wray joins Allen Jackson as future Duke defensive linemen under new Coach Rick Petri. Wray and Jackson are both athletic prospects who will be fun to watch in Wallace Wade Stadium in the years to come.
With camp season in full swing, BDN checked in with several new Blue Devil prospects to learn more about where they are in their recruiting process, and learned that Duke has made a significant impression on many of them. Some of the new interviews we featured this week included:
If you’ve followed Duke football recruiting in recent years, you know we are just getting started here in early June. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Recruiting rewind
Most Duke fans are conditioned to expect recruiting success due to Coach K’s historic run in Durham. In football recruiting, you win some and you lose some. At BDN, we believe it’s more important to focus on the recruiting victories and keep things in perspective. Here’s a quick recap of some of Duke’s biggest recruiting coups in the last two classes alone.
Class of 2010
LB Kelby Brown
Duke fans didn’t know how good of a player they were getting when Brown committed to the Blue Devils in July 2009. The coaching staff was able to secure Kelby’s commitment over nine other scholarship offers from programs like Arkansas, Boston College, Louisville, Northwestern, UCLA, and Wisconsin. After knee surgery cut his freshman year short in 2010, Duke fans are expecting Brown to lead the Blue Devil defense in 2011 and beyond.
QB Brandon Connette
With Sean Renfree entrenched as the heir to Thad Lewis, it was easy to overlook the commitment from Connette, which the Blue Devils received early in the recruiting season, in May 2009. The Duke staff was able to beat out in-state power Stanford for Connette, who came in and led the Blue Devils with 8 rushing touchdowns as a freshman, a new school record.
RB Juwan Thompson
The Duke coaching staff went down to Georgia in the spring of 2009 and stole a pretty good running back prospect from the Peach State. Thompson committed to Duke in June 2009 over offers from Minnesota, Ole Miss, Stanford, UVA, and Wake Forest. After finishing in the ACC’s top 10 in kickoff returns as a freshman, the Blue Devils expect Thompson to see an increased workload in 2011.
RB Josh Snead
After landing 4-star prospect Desmond Scott in 2009, the Duke staff continued their impressive in-state recruiting, adding the speedy Snead to the class of 2010 in December 2009. Snead chose the Blue Devils over Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, and Vanderbilt. Along with Scott and Thompson, Snead is expected to be a key playmaker in the 2011 Blue Devil backfield.
Kyler and Kelby Brown are two of the Blue Devils' biggest recent recruiting successes
Class of 2011
OL Cody Robinson
The Duke coaching staff landed four impressive prospects from the state of Tennessee in the class of 2011, led by the 300-pound Robinson. Cody chose the Blue Devils over 8 other scholarship offers and is expected to anchor the Duke offensive line for years to come.
OL Marcus Aprahamian
Coach Luke and the Blue Devils went into the Midwest and secured a commitment from the top offensive line prospect in the state of Wisconsin in May 2010. Aprahamian, who called Duke his “dream school,” is expected to join fellow 300-pounder Robinson and anchor the Blue Devil offensive line.
LB David Helton
Another good-looking Tennessee prospect, Helton chose Duke over 7 other scholarship offers, including ACC rival Georgia Tech. Helton is a player many think could contribute as a true freshman in 2011.
CB Jared Boyd, CB Tim Burton, S Chris Tavarez
Duke fans are going to love watching this trio of defensive backs develop in Wallace Wade Stadium. The three bring a distinct swagger to Durham, and they all know how to make plays. Boyd, who hails from Georgia powerhouse Stephenson High School, chose Duke over 14 other scholarship offers, including programs like Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Stanford, and Vanderbilt. Burton brings the reputation of a big-time speedster and trash-talker from the talent-rich state of Florida, where he chose Duke over 7 other offers, including Big Ten power Wisconsin. Tavarez may be best known for his career as an actor so far, but he plans to make a name for himself on the gridiron at Duke, which he chose over 6 other offers, which included Maryland and Vanderbilt.
DE/LB Kyler Brown, ATH Jamison Crowder
Do you remember where you were on February 9, 2011? What about March 13, 2011? Of course, you were watching the Blue Devils beat the Tar Heels on the hardwood. What a great feeling for a Duke fan! So why don’t you remember July 20, 2010? Or February 1, 2011? Duke beat the Tar Heels on those days as well, landing commitments from Jamison Crowder and Kyler Brown. With Crowder’s athleticism and Brown’s family lineage, Blue Devil fans should know to expect both to find a way to make an impact this fall.
You could certainly add more to this list – TE David Reeves, who signed with Duke after a late push by SEC power Auburn; WR Blair Holliday, who chose Duke over hometown UCLA; big DL Sam Marshall, who chose Duke over ACC rivals NC State and Virginia; Will Monday, the top ranked punter in the class; and several others. For a program whose last bowl game was over 15 years ago, the Blue Devil coaching staff is doing an impressive job on the recruiting trail. If recruiting success is any indicator, Duke fans should expect to see results on the field sooner rather than later.
Keep up with all things Duke athletics here at BDN. As always, thanks for reading. Until next week, WE ARE DUKE.
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