It’s Signing Day for Duke Football! Coach Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils officially will welcome the class of 2012 into the Duke family today. BDN has all the coverage, including Mark Watson live at Coach Cutcliffe’s afternoon press conference.

National Letters of Intent Received

TE Erich Schneider
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 220 pounds
High School: Episcopal
Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #151 WR

TE Dan Beilinson
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 240 pounds
High School: Panther Creek
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #22 TE

OL Casey Blaser
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 255 pounds
High School: South Mecklenburg
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #105 OT

K Ross Martin
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 190 pounds
High School: Walsh Jesuit
Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #2 K

DL A.J. Wolf
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 245 pounds
High School: Hackley
Hometown: Tarrytown, New York
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #167 DE

DL Allen Jackson
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 235 pounds
High School: McDonough
Hometown: Owings Mills, Maryland
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #86 DE

DL Carlos Wray
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 280 pounds
High School: Shelby
Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #94 DE

WR Anthony Nash
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 180 pounds
High School: Bayard Rustin
Hometown: West Chester, Pennsylvania
ESPN ranking: 2 stars, #187 WR

ATH DeVon Edwards
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 170 pounds
High School: Alcovy
Hometown: Covington, Georgia
ESPN ranking: Not Available

OL Tanner Stone
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 280 pounds
High School: Highland Park
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
ESPN ranking: 2 stars, #163 OG

SAF Michael Westray
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195 pounds
High School: Westlake
Hometown: Waldorf, Maryland
ESPN ranking: 2 stars, #168 SAF

WR Max McCaffrey
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 pounds
High School: Valor Christian
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
ESPN ranking: 2 stars, #232 WR

DL Michael Mann
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 220 pounds
High School: Valor Christian
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #122 DE

SAF Dwayne Norman
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195 pounds
High School: University Christian
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #50 SAF

RB Jela Duncan
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 190 pounds
High School: Mallard Creek
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #40 RB

SAF Corbin McCarthy
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 200 pounds
High School: Norco
Hometown: Norco, California
ESPN ranking: 2 stars, #143 SAF

LB Deion Williams
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 225 pounds
High School: Lutheran
Hometown: Orange, California
ESPN ranking: 2 stars, #7 FB

LB Keilin Rayner
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 215 pounds
High School: North Brunswick
Hometown: Leland, North Carolina
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #74 OLB

RB Shaquille Powell
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 196 pounds
High School: Bishop Gorman
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
ESPN ranking: 3 stars, #56 RB

Dwayne Norman signs his NLI

Jela Duncan picks Duke on National Signing Day

Casey Blaser signs his NLI

Valor Christian DE Michael Mann committed to Duke over the weekend.

Duke secured a commitment from the 18th member of their class of 2012 over the weekend, as DE Michael Mann committed to the program. Mann will join Valor Christian teammate and close friend Max McCaffrey in Durham this fall. Rated a 3-star prospect by ESPN, the defensive end picked up an official scholarship offer from the Blue Devils on Thursday and made his decision over the weekend. He spoke with Duke’s Coach Knowles and Coach Lubick on Sunday to inform them of his decision. Mann is Duke’s 4th commitment on the defensive line in the class of 2012, joining Allen Jackson, Carlos Wray, and A.J. Wolf. Originally committed to Arizona State, Mann opted to re-open his recruitment after the coaching staff change in Tempe. It was a recent official visit to Durham that sold him on the Blue Devils, however. Mann selected the Blue Devils over offers from Air Force, Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado State, Connecticut, and Iowa.

BDN Scouting Report: While not a freak athlete, Mann is physical and tenacious at the line of scrimmage. He’s shown ability to be dominant both against the run and against the pass. A three-time Colorado HS state champion, his intangibles are off the charts. He has lots of room to grow as a pass rusher at the college level, but has the work ethic and the ability to become a solid ACC lineman. At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, Mann has room to grow into his frame, and will likely benefit from a year in the weight room before he’s ready to contribute on the field. The Blue Devils are getting a good football player and a great addition to their program with the commitment from Mann.

With the recent decision by Terrell Jackson to re-open his recruitment, the Blue Devils find themselves looking to bulk up their defensive line in the class of 2012. With that in mind, Duke hosted Valor Christian DE Michael Mann on an official visit over the weekend. Originally committed to Arizona State, Mann opted to re-open his own recruitment after the coaching staff change in Tempe. A teammate and close friend of Duke WR commit Max McCaffrey, the Blue Devils have had Mann on their radar for awhile. The 6’4” 220 pound DE prospect is coming off his third straight Colorado HS Championship and spoke with BDN shortly after his visit to Durham.

Mallard Creek RB Jela Duncan is Duke's top remaining priority in the class of 2012

It’s no secret that Jela Duncan has been the Duke coaching staff’s top priority in the class of 2012 for the past several months. The Mallard Creek star RB is viewed as the type of elite athlete that will help the Blue Devils’ program get to the next level. As signing day approaches, Duncan is making his final visits and has narrowed his choices to Duke, ECU, Wake Forest, and North Carolina. Coach Cutcliffe has developed a strong relationship with the elite prospect throughout his recruitment and welcomed him to Durham on an official visit this weekend. Duncan checked in with BDN shortly after returning home from his Duke official visit.

Ohio State safety Jeremy Cash has transferred to Duke.

As Signing Day 2012 approaches, the focus remains on rounding out this year’s recruiting class. However, the Blue Devil coaching staff has strengthened their roster with the transfer of a hard-hitting defender from The Ohio State University. Duke sources have confirmed to BDN that 6’2″ 190 pound safety Jeremy Cash has transferred to Duke and enrolled in classes for the spring 2012 semester.

Cash enrolled at Ohio State last January and played in five games as a true freshman and registered 3 tackles. A native of Plantation, Florida, Cash was rated a 4-star prospect by ESPN coming out of high school and held scholarship offers from Arizona State, Florida State, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Stanford, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin. A 4.0-student, Cash will have three years of eligibility remaining in Durham. He will join a Duke secondary that will have to replace All-ACC safety Matt Daniels in 2012.

The Blue Devils will host their final official visits of the 2012 recruiting season this weekend and BDN will have all the coverage as Duke looks to finish out this year’s class strong.

MICHAEL WESTRAY

Westlake ATH Michael Westray committed to Duke in July

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 pounds
Position: Safety
Hometown: Waldorf, Maryland
High School: Westlake High School – Class 3A

Senior season recap: We finished 8-3 and made it to second round of playoffs. I thought that we had enough talent to win the championship, but I’m proud that we fought hard. I was voted to 2 All Star games. My coaches stressed State Championship and team first so I never really tracked stats. I played CB, Safety, RB, WR, and Punter. 

Scholarship offers: Duke, N.C. State, and Liberty

Commitment to Duke: I chose Duke for the opportunity to get a great education, play in the ACC against the great competition, the family atmosphere, and a defense that I’m excited to be a part of.

Considering other schools: No

Academic interests: Computer Science

Pro or College Role Models: I’ve heard comparisons to Laron Landry and Antonio Cromartie.

College goals: Obtain my degree, help the team win championships, avoid serious injuries, and leave as a better player and person.

Planned enrollment: No set date yet. I’ll coordinate with admissions and the coaches.

Message to Duke fans: I can’t wait to get on campus. I look forward to spending my next 4 years at Duke and being a part of the community.  Go Duke!

BDN Scouting Report: Westray will join fellow Westlake alum Jon Woodruff in Durham next year, and both will be looking to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. A high-end athlete, Westray played all three phases for Westlake, but will likely find a home at safety in Durham. He has an excellent nose for the ball and showed good instincts against the run. He will need to improve his footwork and coverage skills, but possesses good lateral agility and quickness. As a fundamentally-sound tackler and disciplined defender, Westray has the potential to develop into an excellent safety in Jim Knowles’ defense.

Highlights:

RB Shaquille Powell committed to Duke over the weekend.

RB Shaquille Powell
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 200 pounds
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
High School: Bishop Gorman
Statistics: 2,427 yards and 40 touchdowns
Scholarship offers: Arizona State, Vanderbilt, Fresno State, San Diego State, Illinois, UNLV, Northern Arizona
BDN Scouting Report: Powell is an excellent between the tackles runner and brings an added dimension to the Duke backfield. He does not have elite speed, but is elusive and was a workhorse in high school for Bishop Gorman. He should be an excellent short-yardage and goal-line threat from day one. He will need to continue to improve his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and block to become an every down back at the college level. Overall, however, Duke fans should be excited about this pick-up. The coaching staff worked hard to land an elite back in this class and Powell is a great fit. The addition of a blazer like Jela Duncan could be the perfect complement to finish off the Blue Devil class of 2012.

Highlights:

DT Terrell Jackson
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 270 pounds
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
High School: Marion-Franklin
Statistics: 75 tackles and 20 sacks
Scholarship offers: Akron, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami (OH), Toledo
BDN Scouting Report: Jackson is an under the radar lineman who impressed the staff at camp this summer. He will have to add some size and strength to play DT at the next level, but has the instincts and technique to be a solid ACC lineman in Durham. He’s shown flashes of ability as a run-stopper and was an elite pass-rusher in high school, earning 1st Team All-State honors. An intelligent player, he should be a quick study at the college level. Overall, Jackson is another player who fits the athletic mold Duke has been recruiting on the defensive line over the past few classes. Under Rick Petri’s tutelage, this group should continue to outperform expectations.

Highlights:

SAF Corbin McCarthy
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 205 pounds
Hometown: Norco, California
High School: Norco High School
Statistics: 50 tackles, 25 passes defended
Scholarship offers: Cal Poly
BDN Scouting Report: McCarthy joins several other lightly-recruited Californians in Durham. The hard-hitting safety has had aspirations of playing ACC football and the Blue Devils were the first to offer him that opportunity. McCarthy will have work to do to become an ACC caliber defender, primarily in the weight room where he needs to get stronger and faster. He’s another intelligent football player with good instincts, and that should help him adjust to the college game. Coach Cutcliffe has focused on bringing in better athletes to Durham, and though undersized, McCarthy fits that bill. Coach Knowles has developed a group of outstanding safeties in Durham, and McCarthy has the tools to continue that tradition.

Highlights:

Hackley LB/DE A.J. Wolf committed to Duke in June

A.J. WOLF

Height: 6’4″
Weight: 245 pounds
Position: Defensive end
Hometown: Tarrytown, New York
High School: Hackley School – NEPSAC Class C

Senior season recap: It was a dissapointing season for the team, losing many close games, and ending up 1-6 (1 game cancelled due to snow storm.) However, I personally think I had a great season and did the best I could to help the team win 100% of the time.

Senior season stats: From the MLB position in only 7 games - 98 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 blocked FG, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 Rush TD

Scholarship offers: Duke

Commitment to Duke: I get to play ACC football and get a fantastic education. Also, the coaches all seemed very wise and competitive. On my unofficial visit over the summer, it seemed like everyone was part of one big family, and everyone was close. Another bonus is the weather (compared to NY). In my eyes, it seemed like the perfect school to play football at. I committed on site during my visit for those reasons. 

Considering other schools: No

Academic interests: Business/Finance

Pro or College Role Models: I don’t compare myself to, but strive to be like DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews. No one can block them. 

College goals: Win an ACC Championship and be 1st Team All-ACC.

Planned enrollment: Summer 2012

Message to Duke fans: I am also a State Champion Track & Field Athlete, and am trying to be an All-American this year.

BDN Scouting Report: Wolf is clearly one of the most intriguing sleeper prospects in Duke’s class of 2012. He’s a tremendous athlete and comes from an extremely gifted family. A.J. has a good frame and will be able to add strength in a college weight program. In high school, he played all over the field for Hackley, a testament to his athleticism at 6’4″ and 245 pounds. He was recruited to play defensive end at Duke, though has the skill set to potentially slide inside to defensive tackle. Wolf didn’t see a very high level of competition in high school, so it remains to be seen how he will fare against college competition. Being able to focus on one position will allow him to perfect his techniques, but he already possesses good instincts and tackling ability.  In all likelihood, A.J. will benefit from a redshirt year under Coach Petri in Durham, but his athleticism and intelligence may make it hard to keep him off the field for long.

Highlights:

Duke Closes 2011 at North Carolina
• The Blue Devils will close out the 2011 schedule this week by travelling to face rival North Carolina.
• Duke is 3-8 overall and 1-6 in ACC play following its 38-31 loss to Georgia Tech last week. The Tar Heels stand at 6-5 overall and 2-5 in league play after losing to Virginia Tech, 24-21, last Thursday.
• Saturday’s game will mark the 98th on the gridiron between the two schools, with North Carolina holding a 57-36-4 all-time series advantage.
• The Tar Heels have won seven straight and 20 of the past 21 meetings including last year’s 24-19 decision in Durham.

Victory Bell
• The battle for the Victory Bell began in 1948 with North Carolina earning possession with a 20-0 win in Chapel Hill. Duke head cheerleader Loring Jones and North Carolina head cheerleader Norman Spear decided on the idea of the Victory Bell.
• Jones designed the model while Spear obtained a bell from an old railroad train. Red Lewis, Duke’s business manager for athletics, agreed to find money in the budget to pay for the bell.

Record Book Watch
• With one and four pass receptions respectively, WRs Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon will become just the sixth and seventh players in ACC history with 200 career catches. The current group includes Clemson’s Aaron Kelly (232), Wake Forest’s Desmond Clark (216), Virginia’s Billy McMullen (210), Florida State’s Peter Warrick (207) and N.C. State’s Jerricho Cotchery (200).
• With 53 catches in 2011, Varner is seven receptions away from becoming the first player in ACC history to post three seasons with 60+ grabs. He is one of 13 players in league history with two campaigns with 60+ catches, a list that includes teammate Vernon.
• With 68 catches on the year, Vernon is six grabs shy of the Duke single-season record of 74 set by Wes Chesson in 1970. Vernon fell one reception short of the standard last season with 73 catches.
• With a nine-reception outing last week versus Georgia Tech, Vernon matched the school’s single-season record for most games with 5+ catches with nine. Vernon, who also had nine games with five of more catches last year, shares the standard with Chesson (1970) and Roger Boone (1987).
• With 2,738 passing yards this season, QB Sean Renfree is 262 yards shy of reaching 3,000 for the season. Renfree topped the 3,000-yard barrier last year (3,131) to join Ben Bennett (1982-83), Anthony Dilweg (1988) and Thaddeus Lewis (2009) as Blue Devils to accomplish the feat at least once.
• Having completed 65.0 percent (269-of-414) of his pass attempts through 11 games, Renfree is on pace to break the school’s single-season record for pass completion percentage, a mark currently held by Bennett (.640 [300-of-469] in 1983).
• With 14 pass breakups this fall, S Matt Daniels is one PBU shy of matching the Duke single-season record of 15 set by Erwin Sampson in 1989.
• Duke has 19 rushing touchdowns through 11 games this season — matching last year’s total for the most since 1994 (21). Sophomore RB Juwan Thompson has seven rushing scores — the highest total by a Duke running back since 2005 when Justin Boyle scored nine times on the ground.