Tag Archives: Football Recruiting News

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Top in-state OL Tyrone Crowder likes Duke, UNC, and NC State early

Richmond HS OG Tyrone Crowder already holds 14 scholarship offers

Under Coach Cutcliffe, the Blue Devils have built one of the top offensive lines in the ACC, ranking near the top of the conference in sacks per pass attempt a year ago. The offensive line is expected to be a strength yet again this year, led by senior Brian Moore and Freshman All-American Laken Tomlinson. The Blue Devils' coaching staff is looking to continue to build strength up front in the class of 2013, and have the top lineman in the state at the top of their wish list. Tyrone Crowder is a  6'2" 310 pound offensive guard prospect from Richmond Senior HS in Rockingham, NC. An ESPNU150 Watch List member and with 14 scholarship offers already, Crowder will have his pick of schools from across the country, but three in-state ACC schools have made a solid early impression. After his recent visit to Durham for the Duke vs. North Carolina basketball game, BDN caught up with the talented lineman to get an update on his recruitment. [private]

BDN: How would you describe your strengths as a player?

I guess I’d say I’m explosive, have quick feet, and am just explosive at the line. That’s pretty much it.

BDN: What are you working on this offseason as you prepare for your senior year?

Lots of things. Right now, just working out some of the wrinkles, just the basic steps and improving my pass protection.

BDN: As you approach your college decision, what are the most important things you are looking for in a school?

A great program, great coaches, and the campus lifestyle, because I’ll be there for 3-5 years. I haven’t really set up my major, but it might be a factor.

BDN: Do you have any ideas for what you might want to study in college?

Not right now, I’m working on it, but I’m just getting started.

BDN: Where do you stand with offers and which schools are you hearing from the most?

I have 14 offers, but I’m hearing basically the most from the schools in North Carolina.

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

Duke, [North] Carolina, and [NC] State.

BDN: What did you like about those visits?

The coaches, all the coaches are great there. I got to visit the campuses a bit, they were nice, and see the facilities.

BDN: Are there any coaches you have started to develop a close relationship with?

From UNC, me and Coach Kap[ilovic], we talk basically once or twice a week. Also Coach Bridge from [NC] State, and Coach Collins from Duke.

BDN: Are there any other schools you plan to visit or would like to hear from?

Well, I know I’m planning on going to Florida this April 6th.

BDN: Do you have a timeline in mind for when you plan to narrow things down or make your final decision?

Right now, I don’t really have a timeline, but I’d like to narrow it down soon, I haven’t really decided it yet. For making my decision, whenever I feel like I know where I want to go, I‘ll just make my decision and make it, it doesn’t have to be on Signing Day...I’ll probably have a top five soon.

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

Okay, thanks.

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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Duke Football adds a commitment from 2012 LS Thomas Hennessy

LS Thomas Hennessy gave his commitment to Duke over the weekend

Head Coach David Cutcliffe has placed an emphasis on the importance of winning the kicking game during his tenure at Duke, and has thus placed an emphasis on recruiting top special teams prospects.  With redshirt-senior Jackson Anderson the lone long snapper on the roster, the Blue Devils filled a need by landing one of the top special teams prospects in the country, as 2012 LS Thomas Hennessy gave his pledge to Duke University over the weekend. Hennessy is a 6'3" 205 pound prospect from Don Bosco High School in New Jersey. Ranked among the top 10 long snappers in the country, Hennessy will join fellow HS special teams standouts Will Monday and Ross Martin in Durham this fall.

Scouting Report from Kohl's Kicking:

Thomas has outstanding accuracy as he was the only snapper to register 15/15 targets hit during the showcase events in May 2011. He stays consistent with his snap velocity and has smooth mechanics. 2nd place finisher overall and 1st place finisher for class of 2012 at Eastern Showcase camp. Had a good second day of charting at Underclassmen Challenge in January, 2011 and was the top finisher at the Eastern Showcase Event and finished the day by winning the snap competition. Has worked very hard and has made great strides in his development as a LS. Top 10 finisher at 2011 National Invitation Scholarship Camp.

BDN caught up with the newest Blue Devil shortly after his decision.

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BDN: How did you become interested in Duke and what led you to decide on the Blue Devils?

I first became interested in Duke my sophomore year when I started looking at high school because of its academic reputation. Ever since, I've always wanted to go there and we took a visit down there the weekend after the Super Bowl and toured the campus and the facilities and I just loved everything about it and knew it was where I wanted to go. 

BDN: You've become one of the top long snappers in the country. How did you end up becoming a long snapper?

I started playing long snapper my freshman year. We needed somebody to do it and I wanted to do it and it turned out I had a knack for it. Ever since then I've worked hard at becoming the best I can be and have attended lots of national kicking camps and earned the #9 national ranking this past year. 

BDN: Is there anything else you think Duke fans should know about you?

My school, Don Bosco, we've played a lot of national games and games in front of 10,000-plus fans. We played a game in MetLife Stadium in front of 20,000 fans, so I'm used to snapping the ball in big games and I think that will help prepare me for college.

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

Thank you!

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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Big in-state CB Breon Borders leaning towards Duke

CB Breon Borders led Statesville with 8 interceptions as a junior

When it comes to recruiting, being the first school to offer a prospect is rarely a bad thing. After National Signing Day, the Duke coaching staff turned their full attention to identifying the top student-athletes in the class of 2013 and inviting them to campus. Breon Borders, a 6'1" 170 pound cornerback from Statesville, NC, picked up his first scholarship offer from the Blue Devils on a February 25th unofficial visit to Durham. A converted wide receiver, Borders has become a lockdown corner in the high school ranks and he features the combination of size and speed to become a playmaker at the college level.  BDN caught up with the big cornerback to discuss his interest in the Blue Devils and get an update on his recruitment. [private]

BDN: How would you describe your strengths as a player?

I’m a really tall corner, and I’m faster than people think I am. I can defend the tall receivers, I’m really good at man coverage. My advantage is I’m long.

BDN: What are you working on this offseason as you prepare for your senior year?

I’m really trying to get my weight up to 175 [pounds], and I’m trying to get my footwork better.

BDN: As you approach your college decision, what are the most important things you are looking for in a school?

I’m looking for a coaching staff that really cares about the players and a great football team, a team that really wants me.

BDN: Do you have any ideas for what you might want to study in college?

I’m still open at this point.

BDN: Where do you stand with offers and which schools are you hearing from the most?

I’ve got my only offer from Duke, but I’m hearing a lot from Wake [Forest], Clemson, and UNC sometimes, too.

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

I’ve been to Duke, I’ve been to Clemson, UNC, Wake [Forest], NC State, ECU…and I think that’s about it right there.

BDN: Are there any coaches you have started to develop a close relationship with?

I’ve really…I’ve got a good relationship with Coach Jones from Duke, he’s put a lot of effort in and I feel like he really has put time into getting to know me.

BDN: Are there any other schools you plan to visit or would like to hear from?

My coach has a couple plans that I don’t know about, but I would like to visit Clemson again, Wake [Forest], Duke, and ECU again.

BDN: Do you have a timeline in mind for when you plan to narrow things down or make your final decision?

My top schools are Duke, Clemson, and Wake Forest, but I’m leaning towards Duke right now. I’m probably going to make a decision, probably sometime before the season starts.

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

Alright, thanks, you too.

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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

In-state ATH Quay Mann hoping for a Duke offer

Northern Nash ATH Quay Mann could see himself playing at Duke

When Coach Cutcliffe first arrived at Duke, he placed an emphasis on speed in recruiting. Speed continues to be an emphasis on the recruiting trail, as Duke looks to add to its current crop of speedy playmakers in Durham. The Blue Devils have hosted dozens of top 2013 prospects on campus already this spring, and are in the process of extending offers to the very best student-athletes available. Dequavais Mann is a 5'9" 185 pound athlete from Northern Nash High School in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. During his junior season, Mann showed off his playmaking ability on both sides of the ball, lining up at running back, wide receiver, and cornerback. After a recent visit to Durham, Mann is hopeful that he will be one of the select prospects to receive a Duke scholarship offer. [private]

BDN: How would you describe your strengths as a player?

First, I’d have to say that I think I can give a team more at the cornerback position. I just started playing cornerback my sophomore year. I was playing running back and this year we had a young line with mostly sophomores and freshmen. Next year, I think I’ll have more of an impact on the offensive side of the ball now that we have experience. I actually got in contact with Ohio State earlier and they want me to come down to one of their one-day camps, but being that they already have a couple of cornerbacks committed, they want me to compete at the wide receiver position, so we’ll see how that goes.

BDN: Do you have a preference for a position to play in college?

I’m actually kind of open to playing anywhere. I think that having a variety of positions that I can play will make my recruiting process better, more teams can look at me. Some might need me on the defensive side of the ball, some might need me on the offensive side of the ball, so I train equally on both sides of the ball.

BDN: What are you working on this offseason as you prepare for your senior year?

Mostly I’ve been doing resistance training, like running with a parachute, having training bands, working on my first two steps, my backpedal, trying to get more explosive. I plan on attending the Nike Combine next weekend in Charlotte and I also got invited to the Rivals Elite 100 Camp, that’s April 1st, so I’ll definitely be there. That’s what I’m working on right now, my 40s, my shuttle, my vertical – trying to get all of my measurements up.

BDN: As you approach your college decision, what are the most important things you are looking for in a school?

First off, hands down, academics. I’m using my athletic ability basically to get a free education, that’s the main thing because you never know what’s going to happen to you, so you’ve got to have a good education. The second thing I would say are the coaches and the environment. You know, I want to be somewhere that’s basically my second home, somewhere where I feel like I fit in and is the best place for me. When I went down to Duke, actually, the way that Coach Cut and his staff greeted me, it felt great. I wasn’t just a statistic there, they knew me, they were like “Hey Quay, how are you doing, we’re glad to have you down here.” Everyone that saw me, having that feeling, that felt great.

BDN: You mentioned Duke and Ohio State as two of the schools you have been in contact with. What other schools have you been in contact with and who are you considering at this time?

I’ve been in contact with Coach Charlie Wiles from Virginia Tech, he’s the one recruiting our area. He’s a great guy, I love them too, hopefully I’ll be down for a visit soon. I’ve had light contact with UNC, not as much as the other schools. I’d like to get to know their coaching staff better. The main two right now are Duke and Virginia Tech. Ohio State, today was the first day I was in contact with Ohio State, so maybe that will pick up.

BDN: Is Duke the only school you have had a chance to visit so far?

Yes sir, that’s the only school, that was the first visit.

BDN: Can you talk a little bit more about your visit to Duke? What are your thoughts on the Duke program?

Like I said earlier, the way they just greeted me, the coaching staff, it feels good knowing that you’re there among other players and they recognize you out of everyone else. They were so excited to see me. I actually was with one of the other cornerbacks from Duke and I had a long talk with him about how he likes the campus and the stuff he told me was just great. Overall, I can see myself playing at Duke. It’s not too far from home, for one thing, and I just love the environment they have there. I would like to go back and visit. They asked me to come down for their spring game March 31 so I plan to take that trip to see them again.

BDN: Do you have any other visits scheduled at this time?

I’ve been talking to – the only coach I’ve been talking to from Virginia Tech is Coach Wiles, he said he was going to talk to the rest of his staff to see if they could get me down there, but I’m not sure when that will be yet.

BDN: Are there any other schools you definitely plan to visit this spring or summer?

Other than Ohio State and Duke, those are the main two camps that I know for sure I’m going to be at. I would like to take a lot of instate one-day camp visits and a couple of out of state. I would like to go to LSU, though, for their one-day camp, once I find out more information on that.

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

Alright Patrick, thanks.

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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Duke among the first to offer 2014 TE Jeb Blazevich

2014 Charlotte Christian TE Jeb Blazevich already holds scholarship offers from Duke and UNC

With Duke's prolific passing offense, solid tight end play, both in blocking and receiving, is crucial to success. After the graduation of senior TEs Cooper Helfet and Danny Parker, the Blue Devils are young on the tight end depth chart. That youth has the Duke staff working hard on the practice field this spring, but also on the recruiting trail. Among the impressive list of visitors this past weekend, Duke welcomed in one of the top sophomores in the state of North Carolina in TE Jeb Blazevich. Blazevich is a 6'5"  235 pound prospect out of Charlotte Christian school in Charlotte. The Blue Devils have recruited well in the western part of the state in recent years, securing commitments from players like Charlotte Christian alumni Kelby and Kyler Brown. Duke is hoping to continue that success with Blazevich, one of the first players in the class of 2014 to receive a verbal scholarship offer from the Blue Devils. [private]

BDN: How would you describe your strengths as a player?

Well, as you know, I’m about 235 [pounds] and 6’5” so I’m not super big like some of the huge tight end and I’m not super small and fast like the wide receivers. I think I have good versatility to be able to go out and be athletic as a wide receiver and also get inside in the box a bit and knock some heads. So that’s what I’m looking to do is a little of both, just the versatility and be able to be a hybrid that can do both. I want to be able to be whatever kind of receiver or blocker that the team needs me to be.

BDN: What are you working on this offseason as you prepare for your junior year?

Goodness, it’s a lot of stuff. Definitely just continuing better routes, better speed. Of course I want to get bigger, faster, and stronger. But, better routes, explosive off the line, better blocking, just continue to work on the fundamental stuff. I’m trying to be more of a lateral player, I think at times I get a bit too North-South and I think if I improve my vision I can get a lot more extra yards. Just mostly the small stuff that every player needs to be working on – the routes, the blocking, the running, the lifting – all the basics, just keep working at it.

BDN: As you approach your college decision, what are the most important things you are looking for in a school?

Well, as my dad says, we sort of have a three-legged stool. We want a winning football program, of course. We also want good character and integrity, to see how they’re going to raise me, basically, since they’ll be my second parents when my parents aren’t there. And also, academics, how they’re going to prepare me for the real world after football ends. That’s the main three, and there’s a lot more that goes into it, but if we see those three, then that’s a college that we’d love to look at.

BDN: Which schools have you been in contact with so far?

Right now, it would be Duke, UNC, Clemson, South Carolina, and Florida. Also Auburn before Malzahn left, but I haven’t heard anything from them since then, so I don’t think they really count anymore.

BDN: That’s a great list and obviously many of those schools are close to home. Is location something that is important to you?

Location isn’t really a big deal, but as you know, it’s who you know, so closer is a lot easier for a sophomore to get introduced to people. Location is not that big a deal, it’s just sort of a coincidence that we know more people in this area and they’ve been stopping by and it’s easier for us to get to know each other as opposed to a school farther away where we’re not so close that I can go up there and see them and they can come see me. So it’s really just who we know.

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

I’ve been to all the schools on the list, except for Florida. I’ve been down there to see the weight room and tour the facilities, something like that. I’ve been impressed by all of them.

BDN: Are there any schools that you have had a chance to visit this spring or have plans to visit soon?

Actually, yes. So far this spring, I’ve been downt o USC and this past week I went to UNC and Duke both, they had me up there for a little basketball game and that was really fun. I’m going to try to go to all their spring practices and spring games and go down to Clemson, just to see how actual football is going to be, not just the flashy show and stuff. See how they practice and see the coaches yell a little bit, get used to that.

BDN: Are there any other schools that you are definitely interested in hearing from or visiting?

I try to keep an open mind to all schools, but some of the few that we’ve sort of sat down and wanted to pursue are definitely Virginia, and something like Tennessee or Kentucky, and just more ACC schools, SEC schools, something fairly close by, not too far away, but we’re just open to anything. We just want to get as many options as you can, because options equal success, and it’s easier if you have options, so we’re just trying to get anywhere basically.

BDN: Is there anything else you want ACC football fans to know?

Just one more thing, February 18th I was offered by UNC and then actually last night I was offered by Duke.

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

Thank you sir, thanks for taking your time.

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BDN Premium Articles, Duke Football

Elite 2013 OT Mike McGlinchey comes away impressed by Duke visit

6'9" Mike McGlinchey is one of the top OT prospects in the country

As the Duke Football coaching staff works to improve the 2012 Blue Devils on the field this spring, they're also looking forward to the 2013 recruiting class. Already this spring, several top 2013 prospects have toured the Duke campus and football facilities. This past weekend, Duke welcomed 9 top prospects to Durham, headlined by one of the top offensive line prospects in the country. Mike McGlinchey is a 6'9" 275 pound offensive tackle prospect from the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia. His combination of strength and size has placed him squarely at the top of new OL Coach John Latina's recruiting board. Having coached several NFL linemen during his tenures at Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and Clemson, Coach Latina now looks to continue his success with the Blue Devils in Durham. McGlinchey is exactly the type of prospect with the skills to succeed at Duke, both on and off the field. With 20 scholarship offers, however, the big lineman will have his choice of schools; the Blue Devils are among those who have made a good early impression. [private]

BDN: How would you describe your strengths as a player?

I’m getting recruited to play offensive tackle and I guess they like me because of my length and my size and stuff like that. Also, as a player, I’m very physically sound, I have fast, quick feet and I like to finish blocks. It’s a good combination, I guess, for college coaches to look at.

BDN: What are you working on this offseason as you prepare for your senior year?

Just to keep getting stronger as a whole, physically, and being able to move faster and have better feet. I’m just trying to work out on every aspect of my game.

BDN: As you approach your college decision, what are the most important things you are looking for in a school?

I’m looking for a school that has a bunch of great people there. I’m looking for a school that is a great school in itself. I’m looking for a program that is going to be a solid program and help me grow as a player, and somewhere that I know that I’ll fit in and have success.

BDN: Where do you stand with offers and visits now?

I’m at 20 offers now, I’m trying to narrow it down. I’m planning on taking about 3 or 4 more visits and then I’ll probably make a decision after that. I’m really excited about all of the opportunities that I have and I can’t wait to see all of the other schools that I’m going to visit.

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

I’ve visited Maryland, Virginia, Rutgers, and Boston College so far. And I visited Duke yesterday. I liked all the schools and it’s going to be hard to narrow one down to see what one is right for me.

BDN: Do you know which 3 or 4 schools you definitely plan to visit this spring?

I think I’m going to visit Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and maybe one other school, I’m not sure. Those are the 3 I’m definitely going to visit.

BDN: Can you talk a little bit more about your visit to Duke yesterday?

Duke was awesome yesterday. I loved it there. It was a great experience, obviously, they took us to see the Carolina basketball game and the atmosphere was unbelievable. I really enjoyed the experience and I got to know the coaching staff and I liked them a lot. It’s a great place down there and I’m really excited about the opportunity to have them recruiting me.

BDN: How did your visit to the other schools like Virginia, Maryland, and Boston College go?

They all went well as well. Like I said, it’s going to be tough because everywhere you go you like seeing. I’m just going to have to make a list and think about it pretty long and hard about which school is going to be the best spot for me.

BDN: You mentioned that you plan to take a few more visits and then make your decision. Do you have a date in mind for when you plan to narrow things down or make your final decision?

I think I’m going to make a decision by the end of the school year, if not then, then by a couple months later, if needed. I want to get it done before my senior football season.

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

Alright, thank you so much.

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