Tag Archives: NC High School Football

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Charlotte OL Casey Blaser impressed by Duke

Charlotte OL Casey Blaser has offers from Ball State, Duke, ECU, and Marshall

With camp season in full swing, recruiting has picked up quickly, and Duke has extended offers to a number of top offensive linemen across the country, and BDN is profiling some of the top 2012 offensive line prospects on Duke’s radar. In-state recruiting has been revitalized under Head Coach David Cutcliffe, and the Blue Devils have targeted an in-state offensive lineman with a recent offer. Casey Blaser is a 6’5” 261 pound offensive line prospect from Charlotte. The Blue Devils are the first ACC school to offer the hard-working lineman, who also has offers from ECU, Ball State and Marshall.

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

In the offense we run, we do a lot of run-blocking, so I think I’m a good run-blocker. I have long arms, so that works. My footwork is ok, my technique is ok, they need to be improved.

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

Been working on my speed and my strength, and my footwork also, those have been the three main things.

BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?

For myself, just to play the best I can play and get the scholarship offer from the school I want to go to. And for the team, hopefully win a conference and state championship.

BDN: What are the most important things you are looking for in a college?

I want to have a college where I feel comfortable, where I feel like I’m at home pretty much, where the coaches are like second fathers. It’s got to have good academics and just a good vibe about it.

BDN: Which schools have you had the most contact with this spring?

Well I’ve been talking to South Carolina, ECU, Ball State, Marshall, Illinois. Those are the teams out of the ACC. The ACC schools have been UNC, Duke, NC State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Clemson.

BDN: Have you had a chance to take any visits yet?

I visited Clemson, UNC, NC State, Duke, Ball State, Illinois, I was at ECU today, and I’m planning on visiting South Carolina next week and then Georgia Tech later this summer and Virginia Tech later this summer too.

BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process, either from your visits or your relationships with the coaches?

I like most of the colleges, most of the colleges have good coaching staffs. I have to say of the ones I’ve visited, my favorite ones have been UNC, I really liked UNC today, and then I also liked Duke. Those have probably been my three favorite coaching staffs that I’ve gotten to visit personally.

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

I plan on making a decision in August before the season starts, but I’m not really sure which school right now.

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

I have offers from ECU, Duke, Marshall, and Ball State.

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

Thank you.

 

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Recruiting heating up for NC LB Keilin Rayner

Duke would love for Keilin Rayner to join Deion Williams at LB in the class of 2012

The Duke coaching staff has been scouting the country in search of players to help improve the Blue Devil defense, but they have been focused on an in-state linebacker for several months now. Keilin Rayner is a 6’3” 220 pound linebacker prospect from Leland, North Carolina. As a junior, Keilin played primarily defensive end, helping North Brunswick HS to the state playoffs and a 5-7 overall record. The Duke coaching staff would love to add Rayner to the class of 2012 at linebacker, where he could make an early impact for the Blue Devils. Highlights from Keilin's junior year can be viewed here. Duke and ECU were the first two programs to offer a scholarship to Rayner, whose recruitment has taken off this spring. When BDN last spoke with Keilin, Duke was a program that had impressed him, but with over half a dozen offers now, where do the Blue Devils stand?

 

BDN: What coaches have stopped by to see you this spring?

Pretty much all of them, Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech, [NC] State, [North] Carolina, ECU, and Wake Forest came by.

BDN: When we last spoke Duke and ECU were the first two schools to offer you; what other schools have offered you this spring?

[North] Carolina, [NC] State, Duke, ECU, Wake, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida International, I think that’s about it.

BDN: Which schools have you visited so far?

I didn’t get to visit any this spring, but previously I visited ECU, [NC] State, and Duke. I’m hoping to visit [North] Carolina maybe next week.

BDN: Do you have plans for any other visits this summer?

Maybe some camps, but other than that I don’t know yet.

BDN: With recruiting picking up for you, what are your thoughts for when you want to narrow things down and make your decision?

I would like to visit all the schools that have offered me and some other schools that haven’t, probably make my decision later after I’ve visited.

BDN: Which schools or coaches do you feel like you have the best relationship with?

Coach Cutcliffe and Coach Luke from Duke.

BDN: What are your plans for the summer?

Just work out, pretty much.

BDN: That’s great, I know you mentioned you would be playing more linebacker this fall, what kind of things have you been working on?

A lot of coaches said to work on my hip flexibility and getting off the ball, working on that.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Keilin, and best of luck.

Thank you.