Tag Archives: David Cutcliffe

Duke Football

California QB Bart Houston will visit Duke this weekend

California QB Bart Houston will visit Duke this weekend

Bart Houston is a 6’4” 201 pound quarterback from Concord, California. As a sophomore starter for perennial powerhouse De La Salle, Houston led the team to a 11-0 record, an 18th straight CIF-NCS title and the CIF State Open Division Title. His sophomore performance was eclipsed by his junior campaign, during which Houston led De La Salle to a perfect 14-0 record and #4 national ranking, completing 66% of his passes for 20 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions. He added 11 touchdowns on the ground while also handling some of the punting duties. Highlights from his junior season can be viewed here.

Colleges have been watching Houston closely the past two years and most scouts have him near the top of their national QB prospect rankings. At this point, Houston is just getting started with his recruiting process and will fly to Durham this weekend for his first unofficial visit to Duke.

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

My strength, I have to say, is accuracy.  I completed 66% of my passes in the season, and in the post-season I completed 77%.  So accuracy and quick decision making, I think those would be my strengths. My weaknesses, I’d have to say, is getting quicker and faster, I’m living with the jump rope.

BDN: Being a quarterback, is there a particular player in the NFL or in college that you compare yourself to or have studied closely?

Well, this is a throwback, but I try to model myself after Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr, so kind of a throwback there.  But current ones, I’d have to say Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers.

BDN: Congratulations on your undefeated championship season last year. What are your goals for your team and for yourself individually in your senior season?

My goals for senior year, well nothing less than last year.  Win state, and if national championship comes along, then that’d be cool too.

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

I’m looking at outstanding academics and a big football tradition, basically.

BDN: What schools have you recently heard from? Who were the first schools to contact you?

Just in general, I haven’t gotten any offers yet, but Duke, Oregon State, Miami, Wisconsin, UCLA, Penn, Cornell, - those are the big names that I’m hearing from.  It’s a pretty diverse group.

BDN: Which schools have you had a chance to visit so far? What schools do you definitely plan on visiting later this year?

I have not, but next weekend I’m taking an unofficial visit to Duke.  I will be visiting other people, but I have not scheduled them yet.

BDN: In your contact with college coaches, have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process?

Well, we have friendly conversations, but I haven’t talked to anybody long enough to have a longstanding relationship yet, so we’ll see probably by later in the summer.

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

Okay, there’s one thing.  I’m big on the team part of football, and not much of the individual part.  It’s more of football a team sport, and it’s not all about me.  It’s about everyone else.  So you won’t be seeing me playing the hat game on signing day, I just want to make a decision and go.  I don’t want to bring much attention to myself.

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

All right, any time.

Duke Football

Duke offers QB Bilal Marshall, who has an ACC favorite early

ACC schools are lining up for QB Bilal Marshall

Bilal Marshall is one of the top quarterback prospects in the state of Florida and one of the top dual-threat prospects in the country. At 6’3” and 170 pounds, Marshall has a good frame and a natural athleticism that makes him an elusive playmaker. Several ACC programs are recruiting the standout signal-caller from Miami’s Dade Christian, and one school has stood out to him early. Highlights of his sophomore season can be viewed here.

BDN: Can you start off by describing the strengths and weaknesses of your game for someone who hasn’t had a chance to see you play?

Well, I play quarterback and I’m a dual-threat. When everything is locked up, nothing makes a defense more mad than when a quarterback goes and gets a first down himself. I can run the ball pretty well, I had over 900 yards rushing myself this year and I can throw the ball good. I think that I’m very accurate and I’ve got a good arm. That’s pretty much it there.

BDN: Being a quarterback, is there a particular player in the NFL or in college that you compare yourself to or have studied closely?

Well, right now it’s Darron Thomas, the quarterback for Oregon. I feel like we have a very similar type of play.

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

Well the main thing the college coaches tell me is to keep working on my feet. They say my feet have gotten better from my sophomore year. I’ve gotten a lot better. They just want me to keep working on it so that it will help me make better throws. That’s the main thing I’m working on this whole offseason – footwork.

BDN: I know you had a great year last season and made the playoffs. What are your goals for your team and yourself individually for the fall?

For my senior year, number one is to win a state championship. I’ve got my last chance to do it. I want to probably have over 3,000 all-purpose yards, and try to mentor some of the young kids that’s coming in and try to help the legacy of my school keep going on.

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

Definitely academics. Whatever is going to fit me for my future because making it to the NFL is a one in a million chance, so that main thing is academics.

BDN: Is there a particular field or program that you’re interested in academically?

Right now it’s open. I don’t know yet. I’m still in the process of trying to figure out what I want to do in life.

BDN: What schools have you recently heard from? Who were the first schools to contact you?

Wake Forest has always been on top for me. They’ve been out ahead and coming to talk to me every once in awhile, coming to my school. I have a great bond with the recruiting coordinator, with Coach Ray McCartney. They offerd me early in my year. I have just recently got an offer from Duke and from Boston College. Right now, I feel like Wake Forest has really been after me and so has Rutgers.

BDN: Which schools have you had a chance to visit so far? What schools do you definitely plan on visiting later this year?

The only school I’ve been to is an unofficial visit to Wake Forest, I’ve been to one of their camps. I’m going to be going to a Junior Day at UM [Miami] this weekend and a Junior Day at Clemson April 9. And I’ll probably make the spring game for Wake Forest in late April.

BDN: Are there any schools that you haven’t heard a lot from or that you’re hoping to receive an offer from soon?

Definitely Clemson. I’ve grown up watching them play. I like to watch them play because of their explosive plays. I could definitely see myself in that program, but whatever happens, happens.

BDN: You also mentioned that Rutgers, Duke, and Boston College have offered you. How much do you know about those schools and do you plan on visiting or learning more?

Well it’s still early. I’m still trying to build a bond with those other schools. I’ve only talked to Duke maybe three times. Rutgers has been on me also, they’re probably right behind Wake Forest, with talking to me and being in contact with them all the time. Boston College I’ve only met the recruiter once, but they told me they’ll keep in contact with me.

BDN: Do you have any plans for what camps you will attend at this point?

Too early right now. I’m not sure if I will be attending any college camps, but it feels like probably the Manning Passing Academy, depending on financials. It’s an expensive trip.

BDN: It’s still very early in the process, but ideally, when would you like to make your college decision?

I’ll probably make my decision by Signing Day next year. I won’t be committing anywhere before then.

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

I’m just one person that’s willing to do anything for whatever program I’m with. I feel like I’m a great kid, I’m willing to help out anybody. And I just love to win, so whatever program I’m in, I’ll do my best to lead that team to 10 wins on the season or more.

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

No problem. Alright, thank you sir.

Duke Football

2012 OL Prospect Andrew Maddox Comes Away Impressed by Duke’s Junior Day

Andrew Maddox was impressed by Duke's Junior Day

Duke kicked off the 2012 recruiting season this past weekend with the first of two Junior Days in Durham. Over 100 prospects made the trip to campus and most came away impressed with the Blue Devil program. BDN kicks off our coverage of the class of 2012 with a series of interviews with the weekend’s visitors.

Andrew Maddox is a 6’5” 270 pound offensive lineman from Woodbridge, Virginia. Although he's high on UVA early, he visited Duke last weekend for junior day and came away impressed. Highlights of Andrew's junior year can be viewed here.

BDN: Can you start off by describing the strengths and weaknesses of your game for someone who hasn’t had a chance to see you play?

I would have to say that my strengths on the field…I have good footwork and I think I’m pretty strong so that helps out with run blocking and stuff. I think my weaknesses, I think would be my hand placement. I have to work on that some when it comes to run blocking.

BDN: What are some of the goals you have for yourself and your team this fall?

My goals individually are to really cut down on tackles in the backfield on my side, really make my side the strong side. I think for my team, I would really like to get back the first round of the playoffs because these last two years that I’ve been on varsity, we’ve lost the first game we played in the playoffs. I’d really like to get past the first round.

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

Definitely the academics, that’s going to be a major one. And I’m also going to look at playing time, which is another big one. And like the size of the school. I’m not really wanting like a super-small school, I’m looking more for a school that has a lot of people and that kind of stuff.

BDN: What schools have you recently heard from? Who was the first school to contact you?

Definitely at the top of my list is UVA. I’ve been in contact with them for quite awhile now and I’ve gone down for a football game in the fall and I’m about to go to their Junior Day in February. Also, Richmond I’m really looking at; I’ve been talking to them a lot too. And after I just went to Duke’s Junior Day I was really impressed with them and they’re on the top too. I’m also talking to East Carolina, and OD [Old Dominion].

BDN: Other than UVA’s Junior Day, do you have any additional visits or camps planned?

I’m definitely going to be doing camps once they start happening. I’m definitely going to go to UVA’s 1-day camps, probably a couple of those. I know Richmond is having a 1-day big man camp kind of thing in June, and I’m definitely going to attend that. I’m also going to attend just like college camps, 1-day camps and that kind of stuff.

BDN: It’s still very early in the process, but ideally, when would you like to make your college decision?

To be honest with you, right now I’m just going to see how it goes.

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

Well, just to let anyone know that I want to go to a college that wants me and that I can contribute the most to. Wherever I go, I’ll work the hardest and contribute the most of my abilities to the team.

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

Yeah, no problem. Thanks for calling me.

Duke Football

Optimism Surrounds Duke Football

Optimism surrounds Duke Football as the third season under Coach David Cutcliffe is set to commence. The Blue Devils will take to the practice field on Monday having won nine football games in Cutcliffe's first two seasons, an accomplishment which may not impress a casual observer, but for a program which won only eight games over the five seasons prior to Cutcliffe's arrival, it signifies significant progress toward reestablishing pride in a program which has deep historical success.

Duke has played in eight bowl games including six New Year's Day games between 1939 and 1961 (actually two of the games were played on January 2nd). Those six New Year's Day bowl appearances include two trips to the Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl, and one trip to the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl. Duke achieved a 2 - 4 record in those six games:

- Rose Bowl (January 2, 1939): Wallace Wade's famed Iron Dukes enter the game against Southern California undefeated, untied, and unscored upon. Duke holds a slim 3-0 lead when the Trogans scored on an 18 yard pass with 40 seconds left in the game to secure a 7-3 victory.

- Rose Bowl (January 1, 1942): The game is played at Durham Stadium (renamed Wallace Wade Stadium in 1967), due to a ban on large crowds on the West Coast, in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor less than a month earlier. Oregon State defeats Duke 20-16 in a thrilling game before 56,000 spectators.

- Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1945): Coach Eddie Cameron's Blue Devils roll up 336 yards of rushing in a 29-26 victory for the Southern Conference Champions over the Alabama Crimson Tide.

- Orange Bowl (January 1, 1955): Returning to bowl action, after a 10 year absence, ACC Champion Duke rolls over Nebraska 34-7.

- Orange Bowl (January 1, 1958): Oklahoma converts six Duke turnovers into touchdowns enroute to a 48-21 victory over the Blue Devils.

- Cotton Bowl (January 2, 1961): the Blue Devils march 73 yards to score with 2:45 remaining in the game to notch a 7-6 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

While returning to a New Year's Day bowl game, or more accurately stated in today's vernacular a trip to a BCS Bowl, is definitely a future goal, the immediate objective for Blue Devil fans is to see their team qualify for any bowl game. Duke hasn't been to a bowl game since a January 2, 1995 appearance in the Hall of Fame Bowl, in which Wisconsin defeated Duke 34-20. Duke's last bowl game victory was the 7-6 win over Arkansas, in the Cotton Bowl, on January 2, 1961.

Coach Cutcliffe has the background to lead Duke to bowl game success. At Mississippi, he compiled a 44-29 record and coached the Rebels in five bowl games, over seven seasons, rolling up a 4-1 record, including a 31-28 victory over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Current New York Giant quarterback, and Super Bowl XLII Most Valuable Player, Eli Manning was the signal caller for Mississippi in that Cotton Bowl victory. As the Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee, Cutcliffe coached Super Bowl XLI Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning as well as Heath Shuler and Erik Ainge.

Coach Cutcliffe's success with quarterbacks is a major source behind the current optimism in Durham. Projected starter Sean Renfree has the skills to excell as the leader of an offensive unit with the most talented receiving corps in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Renfree completed 34 of 50 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns as a backup to Thaddeus Lewis last season. Renfree, who redshirted in 2008, has been being groomed by Cutcliffe since his arrival in Durham.

Taking a look at the talented receiving corps, junior Donovan Varner was a preseason All-ACC selection, while sophomore Conner Vernon earned First Team Freshman All-America honors last season. Duke's third wide receiver, senior Austin Kelly, caught 54 passes for 645 yards in 2009. Seniors Brett Huffman and Brandon King give Duke experience at tight end, while redshirt freshmen Tyree Watkins and Corey Gattis provide depth at wide receiver.

Another reason for the optimism in Durham is the potential pay-off from the strategy of redshirting players over the first two years of Cutcliffe's regime. This season there will be 10 redshirt sophomores and 17 redshirt freshmen on the roster. The redshirt strategy provides a program with depth and experience which are critical elements to competing at the Division 1 level. The Blue Devils should start to reap the benefits in 2010.

Duke faces a couple of tough challenges in the quest to qualify for a bowl game in 2010. First, the schedule is very tough. Second, the team lost many key players off last season's squad, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

In the USA Today preseason Top 25 coaches' poll, five Duke opponents show up in the Top 20: Alabama (1), Virginia Tech (6), Miami (13), Georgia Tech (17) and North Carolina (18). Additionally, Navy (38) and Boston College (40) show up in the other teams receiving votes section. With seven of 12 opponents being amongst the 40 best teams in the nation, Duke will need to be ready to play at their best each and every week of the season.

On defense, with the departure of starters Vince Oghabaase (DT), Vincent Rey (LB), Leon Wright (CB), Ayanga Okpokowuruk (DE) and Catron Gainey (S), new Defensive Coordinator Marion Hobby must devise a strategy which accounts for the Blue Devils youth and emphasize speed. The performance along the defensive line will go a long way toward predicting the success of the defensive unit. As the defensive line goes, the Blue Devils go.

The 2010 season will be a challenge as the Duke Blue Devils attempt to turn the corner under the tutelage of Coach David Cutcliffe. In the end, success will depend upon multiple factors, some of which are fickle, but as the season rapidly approaches, optimism is the noun best associated with Duke Football.

Duke Football

ABC picks up Alabama at Duke – starting times announced

Cutcliffe set to nring his troops together - image property of Blue Devil Nation.net

DURHAM, N.C. – Kick-off times for Duke’s first three games were announced on Thursday in conjunction with the ACC’s early-season television schedule.

The Blue Devils will open the year at home on September 4 against Elon at 7 p.m.  The game will be broadcast live on the internet at ESPN3.com.  In week two, Duke kicks off ACC action on the road at Wake Forest with a 12 noon game televised live by Raycom Sports.

Reigning national champion Alabama travels to Durham on September 18.  The game will begin at 3:30 p.m. and be televised live by ABC Sports.

Season tickets are available and may be purchased online at GoDuke.com/tickets or by calling the Duke Athletic Ticket Office at 1-877-375-DUKE (3853).