Tag Archives: Football Recruiting News

Duke Football

Georgia DE Jordan Watkins has a Duke offer, among many others

Woodward Academy's Jordan Watkins is a highly coveted DE prospect

While Duke is working hard to improve their defense on the field this spring, the coaching staff is also working hard to upgrade the defense with a talented group of prospects in the class of 2012. Several defensive line prospects have received verbal scholarship offers from the Blue Devils, including one of the top prospects in the state of Georgia. Jordan Watkins is a 6’6” 265 pound defensive line prospect from College Park, Georgia. As a junior at Woodward Academy, Jordan helped to lead the War Eagles to the state playoffs, finishing with a 10-2 overall record. The impressive defensive end has already received dozens of scholarship offers from national powers, including Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and dozens of other schools. Highlights of his junior season can be viewed here.

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

Well, I think the biggest strengths for me, and my coaches have always stressed, is that God has blessed me with my size.  I’m 6’6”, 265 plus pounds, and also with that, that also means long arms as well.  So with long arms, I can keep blocks off of me, and get good extension on the offensive linemen.  And also as well, I’ve been blessed with good feet as well, and so the quick feet and good hands, I think they’re the 2 biggest things for me that I do well.

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

The biggest thing is my strength.  I think that if I – to develop my strength a whole lot more then I can become a more complete player just from the fact that I’m playing both defensive end and defensive tackle, you know defensive end, you’re playing there, you can just kind of run, run the outside on people.  When you’re playing tackle, sometimes you have to beat the double teams and blocks like that, so I need to work on my strength.

BDN: As you look at your college decision, what are the most important factors you are looking for in a school?

First for me would be from an academic standpoint, is, well I want my major to be either broadcast journalism or communications, so I’m looking for a school that has the best options for me in those fields, and then after that I look at the football standpoint, how good the team is and the prowess of the school, and also the support for the school. Those are the 2 big things that I’m looking at.

BDN: Which schools have you been in contact with the longest, or have been hearing the most from?

The most, I think that’d be Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Alabama, those are the 3 main ones.  And then I think Auburn recently too.

BDN: Have you had a chance to visit any schools so far?

I went to Alabama Senior Day Saturday, and I visited [Georgia] Tech today, actually.

BDN: How have those visits gone for you so far?

They’ve gone great.  With Alabama, I actually picked up an offer from Alabama, so, you know, that was a great feeling for me.  And Georgia Tech, I live so close to there, I’ve been there before, so today was more to try and gain some – I’m pretty sure academically everyone knows that Georgia Tech is an engineering school, things like that, so I was trying to see if there is anything they can offer me when it comes to broadcast journalism and communications, and what a lot of people don’t really know what Georgia Tech does have something to offer in that field, so it was a really good visit today.

BDN: Do you have any other visits planned for this spring or summer?

I have nothing set in stone yet, but I want to try to get some more school visits done.

BDN: Do you have an idea for when you would like to narrow things down or when you plan to make your college decision?

I’m trying to narrow it down, my coaches and my family, my parents down to about maybe 20, and then maybe by the fall or so trying to get it even lower down, maybe, like 15, 10, something like that. And then just keep going down from there, then when I feel comfortable where I want to go, then I’ll make my final decision.

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

Okay, cool, thank you very much.

 

 

Duke Football

DE Allen Jackson commits to Duke

Allen Jackson gave a verbal commitment to Duke on Saturday

On a chilly and damp Saturday, the Blue Devils received their second verbal commitment of the class of 2012, as defensive end Allen Jackson gave his pledge to Head Coach David Cutcliffe and Duke. Jackson was among a large group of prospects and their families who were in Durham for the annual spring game.

Jackson is a 6’5” 225 pound defensive end prospect from Owings Mills, Maryland. Playing defensive end and tight end for McDonogh High School, Allen earned All-Conference honors as a junior, and had already received offers from Duke, Maryland, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia. Partnering with fellow defensive end Roman Braglio, Jackson forms one of the top pass-rushing duos in the mid-Atlantic region. In his junior season, Allen totaled 83 tackles and 9 sacks, numbers he'll look to top in his senior year as he hopes to lead McDonogh to a state championship. Highlights from Allen’s junior year can be viewed here.

BDN: Can you talk about your visit this weekend and your decision to commit to Duke?

This weekend was great. Everything that we talked about, everything that was mentioned, contributed to my decision. Coming down, I didn't know that I was going to commit. I knew that I liked Duke a lot, but I also liked Rutgers a lot. But it was just the Duke education and the things that they have there, I think that nobody in the country can provide me as far as the academics and the people that they have there. I didn't think anyone else could amount to that, so that really played into my decision of picking Duke. And also, Coach Petri, his expertise on defensive linemen and approach to the game really intrigued me. That brought me closer to choosing Duke, and the Duke name was a big factor as well.

BDN: What were some of the things you talked about with Coach Petri as far as your role at Duke and things to work on this year?

They definitely see me as a defensive end and they like my athleticism, but definitely hope for me to keep continuing to lift as I am now and hopefully pick up some more pounds. But if not, when I arrive there in the summer, I definitely will continue to work out and pick up weight. He didn't really see weight as being a big issue right now.

BDN: What are your plans for future visits either this spring or summer?

DE Allen Jackson had 83 tackles and 9 sacks for McDonogh as a junior

 

Well, I think I'm definitely going to go down and visit, probably take in some practices and maybe go on an official visit this summer. Other than that, I'm not quite sure at the moment, but I'm definitely going to go down some more, I'm just not sure the dates and times yet.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Allen and congratulations on your commitment.

Alright, thanks.

Duke Football

Florida safety Dwayne Norman likes Duke and South Carolina

Jacksonville (FL) safety Dwayne Norman likes Duke and South Carolina

While Duke is working hard to improve their defense on the field this spring, the coaching staff is also working hard to upgrade the defense with a talented group of prospects in the class of 2012. The Duke staff has targeted a small group of defensive backs who already have received verbal scholarship offers from the Blue Devils, and a few have also taken a visit to Durham this spring. One of the most recent prospects to visit Durham and pick up a verbal scholarship offer is Dwayne Norman, a 6’0” 185 pound prospect from Jacksonville, Florida. The Blue Devils were the first to offer the speedy junior from University Christian, but other ACC and SEC programs have expressed interest. Highlights from his junior season can be viewed here.

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

My strengths would be pursuing the ball, definitely that.  And I guess being a heavy hitter, when I get there – I hit angry, I guess.  That’s what coaches call it.

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

My coverage skills right now.  I’m coming up as a defensive back and I guess my speed and quickness.

BDN: What are some of your goals for yourself and your team in your senior season?

My goals for my team will be to win a state championship this year, definitely in the running to do that.  Also to stay on top of things my senior year, trying to do a repeat or even get better than what I did last year.

BDN: As you look at your college decision, what are the most important factors you are looking for in a school?

Me feeling at home once I go there, me feeling comfortable around the coaches and the players.  And really where the sports program is headed also in the next few years.  And academics plays a role also in what’s going on when I go there.

BDN: You mentioned the importance of academics; do you have a specific field you are thinking of studying in college?

Yes, I want to study business management and maybe sports medicine.

BDN: Which schools have you been in contact with the longest, or have been hearing the most from?

Duke. I’ve been communicating with them the most.  I started talking with them I think September 1st – September 1st or September 2nd.  And I’ve been on visits up there twice.  And then South Carolina is the next school that’s been recruiting me a lot.  And USF and Georgia Tech have just – they just started recently and that’s coming along good.

BDN: You mentioned you were able to visit Duke a couple times. How have those visits gone and what other schools have you had a chance to visit so far?

Yeah, my visits at Duke went real good.  They opened my eyes to a lot of things about a future after football and all the – of course during football, but I liked both my visits up there.  And I visited South Carolina twice.  I went on their junior day and I went to a game.  I really like the program up there, I really like the football program and the coaches.

BDN: Do you have plans for any additional visits this spring or summer?

Yes, I just got back from a visit from Duke this past weekend.  I went to a spring practice, and I think in two weeks I’m going up to South Carolina to a spring practice to see what’s going on there.

BDN: Do you have an idea for how or when you would like to narrow your list of schools down and ultimately make a decision?

Yes, I’m going to – I plan on committing on my birthday this year, September 23rd.  Yeah, that’s – I think it’s on a Friday this year.  I haven’t decided but I think I want to do it like before a game or after a game, I don’t know yet.  That’s when I want to make my decision.

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

I’m a good kid off the field.  I won’t get into any trouble or bring any bad name to the schools I’m at.  If anything, it will be good things.  I don’t get in trouble a lot or too much.  Just say that.  And that’s about it.

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

Okay, well thank you for the interview.

 

Duke Football

Lynchburg (VA) DT Korren Kirven is impressed with Duke and Virginia schools

DT Korren Kirven said that UVA, Virginia Tech, and Duke have stood out recently

While Duke is working hard to improve their defense on the field this spring, the coaching staff is also working hard to upgrade the defense with a talented group of prospects in the class of 2012. Under new defensive line coach Rick Petri, several prospects already have received verbal scholarship offers from the Blue Devils, and many have also taken a visit to Durham this spring. One of the most recent linemen to visit Durham and pick up a verbal scholarship offer is Korren Kirven, a 6’5” 275 pound prospect from Lynchburg, Virginia. After his standout junior season at Brookville, Korren has picked up over a dozen verbal scholarship offers this spring from programs throughout the ACC and SEC. The athletic lineman recently made the trip to Durham to learn more about the Duke program and came away with a good impression.

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

Well, my strengths – probably my strengths are speed and technique and agility and footwork and stuff like that.

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

My strength, speed, agility and stuff.  Stuff like that.

BDN: As you look at your college decision, what are the most important factors you are looking for in a school?

Academics is first.  Good football program, good team that likes to win.  Coach experience, they know what they’re doing, and coach relationships and stuff like that.  Relationships with players and coaches and with recruits and stuff.

BDN: You mentioned the importance of academics; do you have a specific field you are thinking of studying in college?

It’s probably going to be something dealing with art.  I’m not sure what the actual major is going to be yet, but yeah.  Art.

BDN: Which schools have you been in contact with the longest, or have been hearing the most from?

Virginia, Virginia Tech, Colorado, Florida – well actually basically all the schools that have offered.  Yeah, basically every school that has offered me.

BDN: Have you had a chance to visit any schools so far?

Yeah, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, and I went to UNC this past summer.  I’m going to Tennessee next week, and then NC State.  I’m supposed to be going down to Florida on the 9th of April.  Penn State is probably going to be the week after that, so – and yeah, every weekend I’m probably going to go to a school.

BDN: Are there any schools that you feel like you’ve developed a good relationship with at this point in the process?

Yeah, the two Virginia schools have. Duke - their whole academic thing down there is really good.  I went down there yesterday, and that was really good, it was a good visit and stuff.  I haven’t really visited any other schools that actually have stood out yet but everybody is about equal right now, so I don’t really have any favorites right now.

BDN: Do you have an idea for how or when you would like to narrow your list of schools down and ultimately make a decision?

Yeah, not sure yet but yeah, we’re going to visit pretty much every school so we’ll probably narrow it down from that by December.

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

Yeah, I’m a big fan of arts and stuff.  I play the saxophone and different stuff like that too.  I’m a real good artist and stuff, too, so.

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

Okay, alright man, thanks.

 

Duke Football

GA athlete Micheal Summers visits Duke and picks up an offer

Michael Summers is a versatile athlete from Georgia with a Duke offer

When Head Coach David Cutcliffe came to Durham, he vowed that he would transform the Blue Devils into a faster and more athletic team. In his first few recruiting classes, he has added several high-level athletes, including Isaac Blakeney in 2010 and Jamison Crowder in 2011. The coaching staff is looking to continue that trend in the class of 2012, and recently hosted a speedy, versatile athlete from the state of Georgia. Micheal Summers is a 6’1” 190 pound athlete from Statesboro, Georgia. As a junior, he played on both sides of the ball, totaling over 1100 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the Statesboro Blue Devils to a 11-3 overall record, falling just short of a state championship. The talented athlete made the trip to Durham this past weekend and came away with his first verbal scholarship offer. Highlights from his junior season can be found here.

 

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

Running the ball, my running speed, catching, blocking, and pass defending.

BDN: You’ve played multiple positions very well in high school. Do you have a preference for what position you play in college, or have coaches told you they are recruiting you for a specific position yet?

Slot receiver, running back, safety, and cornerback.

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

I’m working on a lot of agility work, and a lot of explosions, a lot of upper body work to get stronger, a lot of speed work, working uphill, a lot of catching, and a lot of catching to become a better receiver. I’m just doing a lot of – mainly a lot of agility work, work on my foot speed and balance.

BDN: You guys came up just short of a state championship at Statesboro last year. What are your goals for yourself and for your team in your senior year?

Well of course our main goal, you know, is to win the regional game and to make it back to the playoffs, and to win the state championship.  We believe we can accomplish those goals, ‘cause you know, we have a lot of our players coming back from last year.

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

The most important things I’m looking for in a school is the education, and the academic side of the school, ‘cause if coaches aren’t graduating their players, then, you know, it’s really no good because there is life after football also.  It’s not just about football, because one day football is gonna come to an end.

BDN: You mentioned the importance of academics; do you have a specific field that you would like to study in college?

Yes, I’m interesting in studying public policy and sports management. I’m looking forward to majoring in those.

BDN: What schools have you heard the most from so far? Who were the first schools to contact you?

Schools I’ve been hearing from the most are Duke, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, Louisville, Syracuse, Illinois, a little bit from Vanderbilt and South Carolina State, and North Carolina.

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

I had a chance to visit Duke.  I had a chance to visit North Carolina.  I’ve had a chance to visit – I visited Clemson.  I’ve visited Georgia Tech.  And I’ve visited South Carolina State.

BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process?

Are there any schools in particular that stood out for me?  Duke.  Duke’s really stood out for me, you know, based on their academics, and I really like their coaching staff.  They have a good group of coaches there, Coach Middleton, and Coach Cutcliffe.  They’re very nice guys.  And Coach Roper.

BDN: Do you have plans to visit any other schools this spring or summer?

Yes, this spring I plan on visiting Louisville, on East Carolina, and maybe some other schools.  But as far I know, those two.

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

Well I kind of want to make a decision by the end of the summer.  But right now I’m just trying to enjoy everything, you know, till we get a grasp for each university.  But I really would like to make a decision towards the end of this summer.

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

I love the game.  I work hard.  I love to win.

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

Okay, thank you, sir.

 

Duke Football

California LB Deion Williams will visit Duke this weekend

Lutheran (CA) LB Deion Williams will visit for Duke's spring game

In 2010, Duke coaches and fans were impressed by the play of freshman linebacker Kelby Brown. On the recruiting trail, the Duke coaching staff is searching for more hard-hitting linebackers to join Brown on the Blue Devil defense. Deion Williams is a 6’0” 215 pound linebacker prospect from Orange, California. The Blue Devils have had recent recruiting success on the west coast, bringing QB Brandon Connette, TE Cooper Helfet and WR Blair Holliday to Durham in recent classes. They hope that trend continues with Williams, who has already received a verbal scholarship offer from Duke. As a junior, Williams was named 2nd Team All-Trinity League, and plans to make the trip across the country to attend Duke’s spring game this weekend.

 

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

Well, my strengths really, they come from just playing together and the chemistry of the team.  Without them I wouldn’t be able to do anything.

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

Just getting my feet work together, quicker feet, and my speed.

BDN: What are your goals for yourself and for your team in your senior year?

For my senior year, I really just want to come together with my teammates and just become more of a family.  Winning is obviously great, but it’s not what football’s all about to me.

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

Just the things that I can get out of it, as I go on to pursue my goals in life.

BDN: What are some of those goals?

I just recently sparked an interest in genetics, and looking at humans, how they’re made – what their makeup is, and what they look – how they look.

BDN: What schools have you heard the most from so far? Who were the first schools to contact you?

Duke was actually one of the very first schools that showed, sparked an interest in me, and aside from that I got some things from Cal and San Jose State, schools like that.

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

None yet.  I’m actually coming out to North Carolina at the end of this month for the spring game on the 26th at Duke.

BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process?

I just want to play it by ear for now, but I’m really – I have a big interest in Duke, so they will be one of my top choices.

BDN: Do you have plans to visit any other schools this spring or summer?

I plan to visit Stanford pretty soon, I’m hoping that they will get back to me, and then other than that just some other schools around, in the area.

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

Just that I play the game for the Lord, I play for God, and when it comes down to it that’s really all I’m about.

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

Thank you, and I thank you for the opportunity.