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Tarboro RB Todd Gurley is still focused on Duke, NC State, and UNC

Duke was the first to offer Tarboro RB Todd Gurley

Led by elite running back Todd Gurley, Tarboro High School successfully defended their 2009 State Championship and finished 16-0 in 2010. Gurley, a 6’1” 195 pound athlete, finished the season with 30 touchdowns and was named to the 2A All-State team. Highlights of his junior year can be viewed here. Duke is looking to add an elite running back in the class of 2012 and was the first school to offer Gurley a scholarship. BDN last spoke with Todd early this spring as he was planning his spring visits. After his spring visits, [private] it sounds like Todd is still focused on in-state schools.

 

BDN: Which schools have you had a chance to visit this spring and how have your visits been going?

I’ve been to all three in-state schools. Spring games, I went to Duke, UNC, and NC State yesterday. I’ve visited NC State the most this spring, but I’ve been to every school.

BDN: What have you been looking for on your visits to the three in-state schools? Have you learned anything new at the spring practices or games?

Just, you know, the offensive system that they run, their coaches, and just the fan base, the support – what I would be playing in front of if I was playing for them.

BDN: Are there any new schools that you have been hearing from?

Just Auburn, and I’m considering and getting interest from Clemson, Tennessee, and South Carolina, so I’m looking into those schools.

BDN: Where are you in your process right now? Do you have an idea for when you want to make a decision?

Probably not anytime soon, but just to get the feel for the coach and then the running back coach, because that’s the position that I want to play. Just keep developing the relationship and whichever place that I feel the best and feel comfortable with the coach or the coaches and if I like the environment and the city, but no time soon that I’ll be making a decision.

BDN: You mentioned the relationship being important. Which coaches do you have the best relationship with so far?

I probably would say, just like the coach from UNC, the running back coach, because he’s the coach that recruits me – Coach Browning, so I just have a real good relationship with him, probably the best relationship with him. Then I talk to Duke a lot, I have a good relationship with their coaches, I just like their whole coaching staff overall. And then NC State, I like their coaches, but I just have to get to know them more.

BDN: What are your plans for your spring and summer?

I’m in track right now, and just working in the weight room right now. Just trying to get to the North Carolina, South Carolina game, Shrine Bowl combine. Maybe go to a school that hasn’t offered me yet, like Florida, just go down there and see if they’re interested in me. Also the Under Armour Combine to try and get into the Under Armour All American game. And then there’s a Nike Combine that has sent me an invitation so I’ll go there.

BDN: Thanks a lot, Todd, and we look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Thanks.

[/private]

Duke Football

Duke was the first to offer elite in-state RB Todd Gurley

Duke was the first to offer Tarboro RB Todd Gurley

Led by elite running back Todd Gurley, Tarboro High School successfully defended their 2009 State Championship and finished 16-0 in 2010. Gurley, a 6’1” 195 pound athlete, finished the season with 30 touchdowns and was named to the 2A All-State team. Highlights of his junior year can be viewed here. Thus far in his recruitment, Gurley has focused on schools close to home, but he is certain to attract national attention at camps this summer. Duke is looking to add an elite running back in the class of 2012 and was the first school to offer Gurley a scholarship. Todd visited Wallace Wade Stadium last fall and was in Cameron Indoor Stadium last week for the Duke vs. North Carolina men’s basketball game.

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 power, and I’m just aggressive. My weaknesses would probably be – I don’t really know, to tell you the truth, my weaknesses.  I haven’t really pointed it out.

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

Put more weight on my body, like I need to become a little bit more of a bigger back, and just use my vision more.

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

You know, tradition, not too far from home, and just the community, the city, and the school.  Just, you know, I have to feel like I’m at home, but I’m not home.  Just the coaches and everything.

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

Duke was like, Duke was the first.  NC State, then UNC and ECU.  I’ve visited Duke once.

BDN: How was your visit to Duke?

It was good, I went for the Duke versus Miami game, to go see them play against Miami.

BDN: Growing up in North Carolina, is there a school that you’ve grown up following?

[Pause] NC State.

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

Yes, I have plans to visit NC State, Duke, ECU, go to camps there, go to camps at every one of those, and at Clemson too, I have a coach who’s starting to recruit me from there, too.

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

I am a very versatile player, I also play both sides of the ball.  Not just running back, I can play safety, and I am just a very competitive athlete.

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

All right.