Tag Archives: Football Recruiting News

Duke Football

OL prospect Mack Crowder is on the Duke radar

Max Crowder has caught the eyes of the Duke staff.

Duke Football is hot on the recruiting trail and offensive lineman are on the menu this week.  BDN's Patrick Cacchio talked with three offensive line prospects and here is the first offering.

Cacchio and our staff will be keeping tabs on several gridiron prospects as BDN Premium expands it's coverage of football recruiting.

Mack Crowder is a 6’4” 270 lbs junior center from Bristol, Tennessee, who currently holds offers from three ACC schools. Mack has been chosen as a preseason All-State and All-American center, and has yet to allow a sack in his high school career.

On the field, Mack uses the snap count to “fire off hard,” making solid blocks in both for both the running and passing game. He likes to use his speed to make blocks downfield and feels he’s a tough matchup for most linebackers. For his senior year, his goals are to “get better, stronger, faster, and smarter at playing football.” In the classroom, he wants to keep up his good grades to prepare himself for college.

For his college choice, Mack is looking for a school with a good mix of academics (he has an interest in business or management), football, and location. So far, he has received three offers from ACC schools that all meet his criteria – Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Duke. He really liked the physical style of football at Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, but mentioned that Duke has the best academics and a football team that is “getting better every year under Coach Cutcliffe and the coaching staff.” Mack has visited all three ACC schools and met with the head coaches, and hopes to make additional visits this summer to develop relationships with the staffs.

Mack has also received offers from Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee, and hopes to have more offers soon. He hopes to finalize his college choice before the start of his senior year. Mack plans on attending at least two or three camps this summer, pending his father’s work schedule. BDN will be in touch with Mack again as he nears his college decision.

Duke Basketball, Duke Football

Monday Musings – Singler decision to come soon, reflecting on the championship

This Monday we feature three cheerleaders of the week.

If you  failed to see or missed the ratings, the Duke-Butler National Championship game was a huge hit for CBS.  It's been a decade since any game has garnered the ratings of this seasons title game, yet we are to think all of the folks who tuned in are Duke haters?

The answer to the above question is of course not.  Much of the Duke hate spin has come from media types.  Even after the Blue Devils won the title, local and national media types were still making excuses and or trying to explain with flawed reasoning why and or how Duke won it all.  Do you think other schools would have faced such scrutiny?

Duke will continue their celebration fo their fourth National Championship on Thursday

Much of the national media has grabbed onto falsehoods past concerning the men's basketball program.  As time passes some fans fall prey to this supposed hate train but, in reality, many fans around the country like Duke just fine.  Heck, even Sports Illustrated did some research on the issue in their commemorative magazine.  No matter who you were media wise, had you followed this team, you would have seen no sign of bad attitudes, pompous arrogance, entitlement or, well, the list is long as you well know.  In short, this team was more than a little likable.

Speaking of the Sports Illustrated Commemorative, it is well worth the time to buy it and read it.  I'm not quite as fond of the USA Today offering

How much would this stool bring on Ebay? BDN Photo

Yes, you could still hear some media .types whining after the game and I am talking about the national media room at Lucas Oil Arena.  Objectivity was is short order in some circles but that is to be expected.  One of those who constantly offers their opinion is a local radio host who ate enough crow this season to write a book on the subject of sticking ones foot in their mouth.  Has this person mellowed?  A little, but it is still painful to listen to one local loud mouth spout off opinions without an ounce of thought.

Everybody wants to know what Kyle Singler will do and I can't tell you, for it looks like it is too close to call.  I can tell you that his answer could come before the ink dries on this article.  Should the Blue Devils lose Singler, they will have lost four starters and that will be a rebuilding job despite the talent on hand.  If he returns, Duke could well earn the nation's top spot going into the season.  So yes, it is a big deal.

The Duke Men's Basketball Banquet on Thursday offers fans one last chance to say goodbye to Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek.  Trust me, it will be one heck of a show.  Let's hope the aforementioned Singler doesn't join the beloved departing senior class.

The Blue Devil and yours truly from Indianapolis

I doubt you'll see the men's basketball program appear on the television show Myth Busters.  But let's just scratch the surface for a moment if you will on what the episode would look like.  Duke plays their starters too much for an NCAA Tournament run.  Well, Duke rode the legs of their famished players to grab the Sears Cup.  Coach K stretched himself thin with Team USA and it has hurt Duke.  Uh, tell that to the recruits coming in.  Hey, Coach K!  Please stretch yourself thinner than ever this season.  Duke is too white, right?  Where did this one come from?  Duke is bringing in four athletes of color next season and just about everybody on the radar is of color, but look, Duke recruits kids not color.  Duke can't develop big men.  Well, Wojo should be standing atop a chair waving about a towel that would make Crazy Towel Guy envious.  Me thinks that Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and the brothers Plumlee were collectively the bruise brothers.  We could go on, but what's the use?  Media hate for Duke is alive and well despite a team of extreme character players who epitomized togetherness.

Recruiting?  It's that time of year around here.  We will continue to cover the AAU and other tournaments this season.  Andrew Slater and myself will be joined on occasion by some interns to bring you the best coverage available for our growing list of members.  Patrick Cacchio and I will kick off our football recruiting coverage this week as well.  The bottom line is that being a member of Blue Devil Nation Premium is to be a part of all the latest happenings often before they happen.  Want to know who the next prospect to sign will be?  Do you want coverage that set the bar last season?  Would you like to participate in the most rational Duke related  members-only message board on the web?  Try us out, for we are certain that once you have, you'll be with us for a long time.  At $100.00 per year, it's like having a daily Duke fix for about a quarter a day.  And our members will be the first to tell you that this is the place to be for premium coverage.

Lastly, I would like to thank not only our members, but our followers for making the Blue Devil Nation such an awesome site.  We loved tweeting from every game in Cameron as well as from the NCAA Tournament.  We were there every step of the way in a magical season, for that is what we are about.  We are hands on at BDN, wanting to be your eyes and we know what you want to see.  We look forward to serving the Blue Devil Nation for a long time and we are constantly trying to make this site better.

Join BDN on twitter and Facebook for a complete fan experience.  Join BDN Premium for full site access and be in the know on all things Duke.

Duke Basketball

BDN Premium set to cover Austin Rivers and Quincy Miller

First of all, Blue Devil Nation will be celebrating Duke's national championship for some time to come, but there is little rest when you want to bring fans the best Duke coverage available.  Blue Devil Nation Premium will kick off its AAU coverage this weekend as we cover the Nike EYBL Session I, also known as the Boo Williams Invitational in Hampton, Virginia.

There we will cover the likes of Quincy Miller, Austin Rivers and more names you can learn about as a member.  In fact, the spring and summer is one of the busiest times at BDN in that we bring you lots of information during the off season.

We'll once again bring our top notch coverage of AAU events where Andre Slater and myself will interview and analyze the prospects at the various camps.  Last season, BDN Premium was the only Duke site to cover all the major events, setting a new standard of Duke subscription site coverage.  Furthermore, we were there in person to cover the kids you really want to hear about and not some brief banter and fodder from national corporate site types.

Not that the national guys aren't good mind you, just that they certainly are not there to concentrate on true Duke targets as we do.

Austin Rivers is still committed to Florida, but he has shown interest in a Duke team that just won the national title. Current Flordia player Kenny Boynton Jr. spurnned Duke for the Gators saying he felt like he could play for a national championship there. Well, he would have won one had he been on the Duke roster this season. There are many stories on the recruiting trail and that's what we cover better than any other site hers at BDN. Join Blue Devil Nation Premium and follow us on the recruiting trail as we cover fuure Blue Devils and coveted prospects like Austin Rivers. Our coverage starts this weekend at the Nile Boo Williams Invitational, don't delay in joining so you get stay in the loop.

We were the only site to cover the Blue Devils in person all the way through the tournament.  We're in touch with the subject matter and we bring years of experience to the table.  And BDN is a fans site, for our members make up the Blue Devil Nation.

We don't offer public message boards for they fast turn into rant fests and rumor mills and we feel there are forums already out there to fill those needs, the best being Duke Basketball Report's message boards who keep it as real as they can.

But our members message board allows you to come in from the storm and talk rationally with other fans, some insiders, some knowledgeable and some just fans.  We have a tight knit community of followers and our reviews and member feedback is glowing.

Isn't it time for you to join Blue Devil Nation Premium and gain full site access and talk with fellow members about all things Duke?

BDN Premiums 's archives allow you to catch up on what you've missed. Pictured is Carrick Feliz who few know much about, but BDN has one of the most detailed interviews you'll ever read posted for members.

And be sure to catch up on all of our past interviews and updates as you settle into your new national champions t-shirt while being a part of the fastest growing Duke web site around.

Blue Devil Nation depends on it's members to allow us our coverage, so if you have liked our numerous free offerings what is 27 cents a day for getting even closer to the programs and full access to the site?

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Duke Basketball, Duke Football

Random thoughts for a Thursday morning

- If you ask nine out of ten people who follow ACC Basketball, they'll tell you that Georgia Tech is the most talented team in the conference.  Then why have they opened up as a 12 point underdog in Cameron Indoor Stadium this evening?

- Just as important as recruiting is the fact that David Cutcliffe managed to keep all but one of his staff members at Duke.  After flirting with one of his two dream jobs, Cutcliffe seems entrenched in Durham for the remainder of his career.

- Of course the aforementioned helps with recruiting for Duke signed all 19 players during yesterdays signing day not including a talented JUCO transfer.

- The Duke Football staff is known for their friendliness and family like atmosphere on the recruiting trail and each coach is assigned specific duties  Make no mistake though in that Marrion Hobby stood out from the bunch this season helping Duke to land kids at key positions.

- The crown jewel of Duke Football's recruiting class is Laken Tomlinson, a Super Prep All American lineman, but the kid which may have the most impact could be Josh Snead from Smithfield, North Carolina who brings more speed to the table for the Blue Devils

- The Duke Women are ranked 6th in the country and their rival UNC is coming to town next week.  Don't you think it's time to get out and support Coach P's troops in this one?

- A trap awaits.  Suppose Coach K's troops get by Georgia Tech tonight ... how hard is it to turn around and fly to Boston for a 2:00 start on Saturday?

- If you are in Cameron tonight, remind yourself that Jon Scheyer has just five more games in the hallowed venue.

- 24 days.  Duke plays ACC rival UNC twice in 24 days, yet  they will have already played Georgia Tech and Boston College twice before that happens.

Duke Football

Duke Football signs 19 prospects

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University head football coach David Cutcliffe and his staff announced on Wednesday that 19 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to join the Blue Devil gridiron program.

The class includes two quarterbacks, eight backs and nine linemen.  A total of eight states are represented in the group as Duke signed a class-high nine student-athletes from North Carolina.  The group includes four student-athletes from Georgia and one apiece from California, Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

The nine in-state prospects include back Issac Blakeney (Monroe), quarterback Anthony Boone (Monroe), back Brandon Braxton (Charlotte), back Kelby Brown (Matthews), lineman Takoby Cofield (Tarboro), back Braxton Deaver (Charlotte), lineman Nick Sink (Kernersville), back Josh Snead (Smithfield) and back Quan Stevenson (High Point).

Blakeney helped Monroe to 20 wins over his final two seasons and is the two-time reigning state champion in the triple jump while Boone compiled over 9,000 yards of total offense and accounted for 81 total touchdowns in his career at Weddington High School.  Teammates at Providence High School, Braxton (50 receptions, 792 yards, 9 TDs) and Deaver (72 receptions, 1,002 yards, 13 TDs) led the Panthers to eight wins and a state playoff berth in 2009.

Brown, who played in three state championship games – winning the title in 2008 – for Charlotte Christian, is rated as the 36th-best outside linebacker in the country by Rivals.com while Cofield helped Tarboro High School to a 15-1 ledger and the state crown as a senior.  Sink had 60 tackles and six sacks for Forsyth Country Day in 2009 while Snead rushed for 1,932 yards and 27 touchdowns at Smithfield-Selma High School.  After posting 70 tackles as a senior at Andrews High School, Stevenson joined Cofield and Snead on the North Carolina squad that defeated South Carolina, 24-14, in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

Georgia is represented by Woodward Academy teammates Will Bryant (Atlanta) and Juwan Thompson (Fairburn) along with lineman Jamal Bruce (LaGrange) and back C.J. France (Columbus).  A lineman, Bryant had 60 tackles during his senior season while Thompson, a back, rushed for 1,622 yards and 22 touchdowns last fall and is listed as the 38th-best running back in the nation by Rivals.com.  A two-time all-region pick, Bruce helped Callaway High School to consecutive 10-win seasons in 2008 and 2009 while France, who was chosen for the Georgia Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game, guided Carver High School to 37 victories over three seasons including the 2007 state crown.

Quarterback Brandon Connette, a native of Corona, Calif., joins the Blue Devils after throwing for 1,961 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior at Santiago High School.

Five linemen round out the class including Steven Ingram (Southaven, Miss.), Dezmond Johnson (Nashville, Tenn.), Jordan Ondijo (Prairie View, Texas), Laken Tomlinson (Chicago, Ill.) and Jamal Wallace (Virginia Beach, Va.).  Ingram carded 90 tackles as Southaven High School won nine games in 2009 while Johnson had 18 sacks in his final season and was named to the Dream Team by The Tennessean.  Ondijo secured all-district honors after helping Waller High School to a state playoff berth this past fall.

Tomlinson, a SuperPrep All-America selection and the 23rd-top offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com, was a four-time all-conference choice at Lane Technical High School.  Wallace helped Green Run High School to back-to-back 10-win seasons and is charted as the 41st-best strongside defensive end in the country by Rivals.com.

Connette and Snead both enrolled at Duke last month.

--

2010 Duke Football Signing Class

Issac Blakeney

Back • 6-6, 215

Monroe, N.C.

Monroe High School

• Lettered two seasons at Monroe under coach Johnny Sowell

• Helped squad to two-year overall record of 20-5 with two state playoff appearances

• As a senior, had 51 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries while catching 15 passes for 346 yards and nine TDs

• Also averaged 40.8 yards per punt as a senior

• In 2009, helped Monroe to the school’s first 11-0 record in the regular season before finishing 12-1 overall

• Earned all-conference and all-county honors following senior season

• In junior campaign, had 21 receptions for 295 yards and seven TDs

• Also lettered in basketball and track and field

• Ranked 46th in the final 2009 United States High School Outdoor Track & Field rankings in the triple jump (48-4.5)

• Placed second in the triple jump (46-11.75) at the 2009 USATF Junior Olympic State Championships

• Captured state 2A titles in the triple jump in both 2008 (45-6.5) and 2009 (48-4.5)

• At the 2009 state championship meet, also placed eighth in the long jump (21-1)

• Posted two other top-15 finishes at the 2008 state championship meet, placing seventh in the long jump (20-5.5) and 14th in the high jump (5-8)

• Born November 18, 1992

• Son of Yolanda Blakeney and Michael Wright

• Father lettered four seasons (1989-90-91-92) in basketball at Guilford College

Anthony Boone

QB • 6-1, 225

Monroe, N.C.

Weddington High School

• Lettered four seasons at Weddington under coach Ed Susi (2006), coach Phil Williams (2007-08) and coach Justin Hardin (2009)

• Helped team to state playoff appearances in 2006 and 2009

• Listed as the 37th-top quarterback in the nation by ESPN.com

• Charted as the 49th-best quarterback in the country and the 25th-top overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com

• As a senior, passed for 1,530 yards and 13 TDs while rushing for 780 yards and 11 TDs

• In junior campaign, threw for 1,400 yards and 12 TDs while rushing for 1,000 yards and 11 TDs

• Passed for 1,649 yards and 12 TDs while rushing for 860 yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore

• Had 789 yards passing with four TDs and 1,002 yards rushing with seven TDs during freshman season

• Finished prep career with 9,010 yards of total offense, rushing for 3,642 yards and passing for 5,368 yards

• Accounted for 81 total touchdowns (41 passing & 40 rushing) in high school career

• Four-time all-conference and all-county selection

• Also lettered in baseball

• Earned all-conference and all-county honors on the diamond in both 2008 and 2009

• Born October 29, 1991

• Son of Anthony and Jenice Boone

Brandon Braxton

Back • 6-2, 195

Charlotte, N.C.

Providence High School

• Lettered one season (2007) at St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) under coach Chuck Kyle and two seasons (2008-09) at Providence under coach Randy Long

• Charted as the 94th-top wide receiver in the country and the 16th-best overall prospect in North Carolina by Scout.com

• Listed as the 109th-top wide receiver in the nation by ESPN.com

• Helped St. Ignatius to an 8-3 record and state playoff berth in 2007

• Helped Providence to a two-year ledger of 15-11 with two state playoff appearances

• As a senior, had 50 pass receptions for 792 yards and nine TDs

• Two-time all-conference selection

• Also lettered in track and field

• Born December 28, 1991

• Son of David and Shannon Braxton

• Father lettered three seasons (1986-87-88) as a defensive end at Wake Forest, was selected in the second round (52nd overall pick) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and played in 71 career games over six seasons with the Vikings (1989-90), Phoenix Cardinals (1990-93) and Cincinnati Bengals (1994)

Kelby Brown

Back • 6-2, 215

Matthews, N.C.

Charlotte Christian High School

• Lettered three seasons at Charlotte Christian under coach Jason Estep

• Charted as the 36th-top outside linebacker in the nation and the 17th-best overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com

• All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by SuperPrep

• Helped squad to three-year record of 29-9 including one state championship (2008) and two state runner-up finishes (2007 & 2009)

• Logged 105 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a senior

• 2009 NCISAA first team all-state pick

• Had 86 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three caused fumbles, two sacks and two interceptions as a junior

• Registered 239 career tackles

• Two-time all-conference selection

• Two-year team captain

• Selected to the North Carolina squad for the fifth annual Oasis Shrine Bowl on November 27, 2009 in Charlotte, N.C.

• Born July 10, 1991

• Son of Connie and Kelby Brown

• Mother lettered three seasons (1981-82-84) in basketball at Northwestern

• Father lettered three seasons (1979-80-81) in football at Northwestern

Jamal Bruce

Line • 6-2, 265

LaGrange, Ga.

Callaway High School

• Lettered four seasons at Callaway under coach Pete Wiggins

• Listed as the 99th-best defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com

• Helped team to four-year record of 33-14 with four state playoff berths

• Guided squad to 10-win campaigns in both 2008 and 2009

• As a senior, posted 50 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks

• Had 55 tackles, nine tackles for loss and eight sacks during junior season

• Two-time first team all-region and all-county selection

• Born September 3, 1991

• Son of Gloria Bruce

Will Bryant

Line • 6-3, 295

Atlanta, Ga.

Woodward Academy

• Lettered three seasons at Woodward Academy under coach Mark Miller

• Helped team to three-year record of 23-11 with state playoff appearances in 2008 and 2009

• As a senior, registered 60 tackles, four tackles for loss, six QB pressures, two pass breakups and one quarterback sack

• Earned all-region accolades in 2009

• Prep teammate of fellow Duke signee Juwan Thompson

• Also lettered in lacrosse, track and field and wrestling

• Born May 3, 1992

• Son of Sacy and Charles Bryant

Takoby Cofield

Line • 6-6, 300

Tarboro, N.C.

Tarboro High School

• Three-year letterman at Tarboro under coach Jeff Craddock

• Tabbed the 40th-top offensive tackle in the nation and the 15th-best overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com

• Listed as the third-best offensive lineman in North Carolina and the 17th-top overall prospect in the state by the Charlotte Observer

• All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by SuperPrep

• Started 42 career games while helping Tarboro to a three-year record of 36-8 with three state playoff berths, one runner-up finish (2008) and one championship (2009)

• In 2009, helped Tarboro to 15-1 overall record and the 2-A state championship with a 28-3 win over Burnsville Mountain Heritage in the title game

• Carded over 100 pancake blocks on offense while registering 40 tackles and 20 tackles for loss on defense as a senior

• 2009 Honorable mention All-Southern selection by the Orlando Sentinel

• 2009 First team 2-A all-state pick by NCPreps.com

• Helped Tarboro to 14-2 ledger and state runner-up finish in 2008

• Two-time first team all-conference and all-area selection

• Helped North Carolina to a 24-14 win over South Carolina in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on December 19, 2009 in Spartanburg, S.C.

• Also lettered in track and field

• Born January 22, 1992

• Son of Ava and Toney Cofield

Brandon Connette

QB • 6-2, 210

Corona, Calif.

Santiago High School

• Enrolled at Duke in January, 2010

• Lettered four seasons at Santiago under coach Steve Mitchell (2006-07-08) and coach Jeff Steinberg (2009)

• Listed as the 62nd-best quarterback in the nation by both ESPN.com and Scout.com

• All-Far West Region choice by SuperPrep

• Helped team to three straight state playoff appearances

• As a senior, completed 145-of-249 (.582) passes for 1,961 yards with 18 TDs and 11 INTs while rushing for 462 yards and 12 TDs

• In a 44-24 win over Corona on November 6, 2009, accounted for 388 (277 pass & 111 rush) yards and six total TDs (2 pass & 4 rush)

• Threw four TD passes against both King (October 16, 2009) and Norco (October 23, 2009) in consecutive weeks

• In junior season, completed 104-of-208 (.500) passes for 1,406 yards with 14 TDs and 11 INTs while rushing for 881 yards and 10 TDs

• Rushed for career-high 238 yards and three TDs in a 28-13 win over Roosevelt on October 17, 2008

• In final two seasons, compiled 4,710 total yards (3,367 pass & 1,343 rush) with 54 total touchdowns (32 pass & 22 rush)

• Born July 21, 1991

• Son of Allen and Nancy Connette

Braxton Deaver

Back • 6-5, 210

Charlotte, N.C.

Providence High School

• Lettered three seasons at Providence under coach Randy Long

• Charted as the 121st-best wide receiver in the nation by Scout.com

• All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by SuperPrep

• Helped team to three-year record of 23-18 with three state playoff appearances

• As a senior, earned first team all-state honors from both the Associated Press and NCPreps.com after catching 72 passes for 1,002 yards and 13 TDs

• Also received all-conference and all-county accolades in 2009

• Had 46 receptions for 752 yards and 10 TDs as a junior and 58 catches for 800 yards and 12 TDs during sophomore campaign

• Finished career with 176 receptions for 2,554 yards and 35 TDs

• Also lettered as a midfielder on the lacrosse team, helping squad to two conference championships as well as the 2009 state title

• Born May 8, 1992

• Son of Jay and Jayne Deaver

• Father lettered four seasons (1985-86-87-88) as an offensive guard at Wake Forest, helping the Demon Deacons to a 22-21-1 record

C.J. France

Back • 6-1, 210

Columbus, Ga.

Carver High School

• Lettered three seasons at Carver under coach Dell McGhee

• Listed as the 89th-best outside linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com

• Charted as the 80th-top middle linebacker in the country by Scout.com

• Helped team to three-year record of 37-5 with three state playoff appearances and the 2007 state title

• As a senior, recorded 113 tackles

• Selected to play in the annual Georgia Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game

• Also lettered in tennis

• Born April 9, 1992

• Son of Clarence and Lisa France

Steven Ingram

Line • 6-2, 340

Southaven, Miss.

Southaven High School

• Lettered three seasons at Southaven under coach Ed Rich

• Helped squad to a three-year record of 22-13 with state playoff berths in both 2008 and 2009

• As a senior, posted 90 tackles, nine sacks and two fumble recoveries defensively while grading out at 85 percent on the offensive line as team compiled a 9-3 overall record

• Earned all-conference and all-region honors in 2009

• In junior season, had 80 tackles and six sacks

• Logged 40 tackles and four sacks in sophomore campaign

• Finished career with 210 tackles and 19 sacks

• Also lettered in powerlifting and track and field

• Born July 2, 1992

• Son of Carol and Steven Ingram

Dezmond Johnson

Line • 6-5, 220

Nashville, Tenn.

Overton Comprehensive High School

• Lettered two seasons at Overton under coach Terry Anderson

• Tabbed as the 15th-top overall prospect in Tennessee by Rivals.com

• All-Dixie Region choice by SuperPrep

• Helped team to an 8-4 record and state playoff berth in 2009

• As a senior, posted 71 tackles, 18 quarterback sacks and three fumble recoveries

• Earned Defensive MVP honor from the Metro Coaches Association

• Tabbed District 12-AAA Most Valuable Defensive Lineman following senior season

• Named to the 2009 Dream Team by The Tennessean

• Carded 64 tackles with 10 sacks in junior campaign

• Received all-region honors as a junior

• Also lettered in basketball

• Named all-district on the hardwood

• Participated in the second annual Toyota Tennessee All-Star Classic on December 12, 2009 in Jefferson City, Tenn., helping the West squad to a 16-13 win

• Born March 11, 1992

• Son of Carol and Joe Johnson

Jordan Ondijo

Line • 6-5, 215

Prairie View, Texas

Waller High School

• Lettered two seasons at Waller under coach Jason Morley

• Helped team to state playoff appearance in 2009

• Earned first team All-District 18-4A honors as a senior after recording eight sacks

• Also lettered in basketball

• Born May 19, 1992

• Son of Corliss Ondijo and Willie Dewalt

Nick Sink

Line • 6-5, 250

Kernersville, N.C.

Forsyth Country Day School

• Four-year letterman at Forsyth Country Day under coach Rusty LaRue (2006-07) and coach Mark Moroz (2008-09)

• Helped team to four-year record of 24-19 with state playoff berths in 2007 and 09

• As a senior, recorded 60 tackles and six sacks along with 37 pass receptions for 578 yards and seven TDs in eight-win campaign

• Earned all-conference, all-county and all-state accolades in 2009

• Served as team captain as a senior

• Had 17 tackles and one fumble recovery as a junior despite missing six games due to injury

• Finished high school career with 80 pass receptions for 1,207 yards and 10 TDs

• Played in the fifth annual Oasis Shrine Bowl on November 27, 2009 in Charlotte, N.C., as North Carolina dropped a 20-17 overtime decision to South Carolina

• Also lettered in basketball and track and field

• NCISAA all-state selection in basketball in 2009

• In 2009, captured conference championships in both the discus and shot put while placing fourth in the discus at the NCISAA 3A state championship meet

• Born April 29, 1991

• Son of Angie and Tim Sink

Josh Snead

Back • 5-9, 180

Smithfield, N.C.

Smithfield-Selma High School

• Enrolled at Duke in January, 2010

• Lettered two seasons (2006-07) at South Johnston High School under coach Joe Salas and two seasons at Smithfield-Selma (2008-09) under coach Anthony Barbour

• Helped South Johnston to a two-year record of 17-6 with two state playoff berths

• Helped Smithfield-Selma to a two-year ledger of 12-11 with a state playoff appearance in 2008

• Listed as the 65th-best athlete in the nation and the 23rd-top overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com

• Charted as the 95th-top running back in the country and the 22nd-best overall prospect in North Carolina by Scout.com

• Tabbed as the 24th-best overall prospect in the state by the Charlotte Observer

• All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by SuperPrep

• As a senior, rushed for 1,932 yards and 27 TDs while returning three kickoffs for TDs

• Earned all-conference and all-area honors in 2009

• Rushed for 965 yards and 15 TDs while recording 83 tackles and two interceptions during junior season

• Two-time team MVP at Smithfield-Selma

• As a sophomore, rushed for 786 yards and 13 TDs while catching 10 passes for 329 yards and three TDs

• Rushed nine times for 33 yards to help North Carolina to a 24-14 win over South Carolina in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on December 19, 2009 in Spartanburg, S.C.

• Also lettered in track and field

• Set Smithfield-Selma High School records in the 100-meter (10.33) and 200-meter (21.6) dashes

• At the state championship meet in 2009, placed fifth in the 100-meters and sixth in the 200-meters

• Member of South Johnston’s 3-A  state championship 4x100-meter relay team in 2008

• Three-time all-conference selection as a sprinter

• Born June 19, 1991

• Son of Rachel and Terrance Snead

Quan Stevenson

Back • 6-1, 190

High Point, N.C.

T.W. Andrews High School

• Lettered three seasons at Andrews under coaches Derek Anderson (2007) and Rodney McKay (2008-09)

• Listed as the 115th-top safety in the nation by ESPN.com

• Helped team to three-year record of 20-14 with three consecutive state playoff berths

• As a senior, earned all-area honors from the Greensboro News & Record after posting 70 tackles and two interceptions while scoring seven TDs, kicking three field goals and booting 20 PATs

• Logged 60 tackles and five interceptions as a junior, returning four picks for TDs

• Two-time all-conference selection

• Served as team captain

• Helped North Carolina to a 24-14 win over South Carolina in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on December 19, 2009 in Spartanburg, S.C.

• Also lettered in baseball and basketball

• Born January 31, 1992

• Son of Belma and Kevin Stevenson

Juwan Thompson

Back • 5-11, 220

Fairburn, Ga.

Woodward Academy

• Lettered four seasons at Woodward Academy under coach Mark Miller

• Listed as the 38th-top running back in the nation and the 42nd-best overall prospect in Georgia by Rivals.com

• Tabbed as the 58th-best running back in the country by Scout.com

• Named the 65th-top running back in the nation by ESPN.com

• All-Dixie Region choice by SuperPrep

• Helped team to four-year record of 29-15 with state playoff appearances in 2008 and 2009

• As a senior, rushed for 1,622 yards and 22 TDs en route to earning honorable mention all-state honors

• Rushed for 1,210 yards and 16 TDs in junior season and 650 yards and five TDs as a sophomore

• Three-time All-South Metro and all-region selection

• Prep teammate of fellow Duke signee Will Bryant

• Also lettered in basketball and track and field

• Captured region championships in both the 100-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay in 2009

• Helped Woodward Academy to two region track and field crowns

• Born May 13, 1992

• Son of Ramona Griggie and Justin Thompson

Laken Tomlinson

Line • 6-5, 295

Chicago, Ill.

Lane Technical High School

• Lettered four seasons at Lane Tech under coach Rich Rio

• All-America choice by SuperPrep

• Listed as the 23rd-best offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com

• Named the 26th-top offensive line prospect in the nation by SuperPrep

• Charted as the 29th-best offensive guard in the country and the 12th-top overall prospect in Illinois by Rivals.com

• Tabbed as the 20th-best offensive tackle in the country by USA Today’s Tom Lemming

• All-state selection as a senior by both the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Chicago Tribune

• Team MVP as a senior

• Two-time all-city pick

• Four-time first team all-conference selection

• Helped Lane to the 2008 Chicago Public League football championship

• Also lettered in track and field

• At the 2009 Chicago Public League track and field championship meet, placed first in the discus (140-06) and second in the shot put

• In the 2009 Illinois 3A state championship track and field meet, threw personal bests of 141-1 in the discus and 47-7 in the shot put to place 17th and 22nd, respectfully, in the preliminary heats

• Born February 9, 1992

• Son of Audrey Wilson

Jamal Wallace

Line • 6-4, 225

Virginia Beach, Va.

Green Run High School

• Four-year letterman at Green Run under coach Ray Gatlin (2006) and Shawn Wilson (2007-08-09)

• Listed as the 41st-best strongside defensive end in the nation and the 22nd-top overall prospect in Virginia by Rivals.com

• All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by SuperPrep

• Helped team to four-year ledger of 26-18 with two 10-win campaigns (2007-08) and two state playoff berths (2007-08)

• Recorded 41 tackles and two sacks as a senior

• In junior season, posted 46 tackles and four sacks

• Three-time All-Beach District honoree

• Also lettered in track and field

• Born July 27, 1991

• Son of Khaula Wallace

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Future Duke Footballer Nick Sink plays a good game of basketball

Duke-Blue-Devils-NCAA-HelmetCoach David Cutcliffe and staff are looking forward to working with Nick Sink who has been recruited to play tight end for the Blue Devils.  But before he concentrates on football, Sink will finish out his senior basketball season with Forsyth Country Day.  BDN caught up to Nick during the Glaxo Invitational where he scored 22 points in the game we watched, hitting three treys along the way.  Sink who mans the middle for his team showed that he is a good athlete that can float out to extend the oppositions defense.  Here is [private]a brief chat with Sink -

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Discuss this on the BDN Message Board - [/private]