Tracking the future Blue Devils
Duke has impressed on the recruiting trail this summer as the Blue Devils are assembling a class that might compete for a top 30 national ranking.
With high school football seasons opening across the country, Devils Illustrated spoke with a large majority of Duke's 11 current commitments for the class of 2006 to get an update.
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6-4, 192 WR
St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter
Duke's first commitment back in April, Davie's season begins September 2nd with a tough matchup against the Herculaneum Blackcats, who posted a 9-2 mark last season. Davie reports that the opening game will be a great early test for his young team. The three star prospect's commitment to Duke remains rock solid.
6-2, 240 FB
Doylestown (Pa.) Central Bucks West
Just two weeks removed from his commitment to Duke, King is preparing for the start of his senior season which also begins Friday night, September 2nd. Still very excited about his commitment to Ted Roof's program, the four star prospect says he would like to make an official visit for an ACC game this fall.
6-6, 300 OL
Clearwater (Fla.)
The highly touted three star lineman unofficially began his season with a preseason jamboree this past Friday. The game was just an exhibition and Holt played sparingly. Clearwater's season kicks off this Friday night with a home matchup against rival Largo. Holt says he's been keeping a close eye on Duke's recruiting success. "I think (their recruiting) is outstanding. My brother, Jon Holt plays for N.C. State and he talks about how great Duke is doing. I think it has a chance to be a great class and I'm thrilled to be a part of it."
6-5, 205 WR
Locust Grove (Ga.) Luella
Ringfield's season began this past Friday, although it commenced in disappointing fashion for Luella with a tough loss to Union Grove. Ringfield says he caught two or three passes in the loss and reports that the offense is still growing into a new system and needs to work out a few of the kinks. It's safe to expect more catches and more victories for Ringfield and his team as the season progresses.
6-8, 320 OL
Brodhead (Wisc.)
The mammoth offensive lineman begins his season this Friday night as well. Brodhead has performed well in some early scrimmages but Lederman is anxious to officially start the season. Brodhead has a solid reputation for producing offensive linemen and Lederman is adding to that tradition.
6-3, 178 WR
Baltimore (Md.) City College
Bell has to wait a little longer to begin his senior campaign. His first regular season game is set for September 9th, and Maryland's 20th best prospect says a lot of young guys will have to produce in 2005, especially City College's sophomore quarterback. Bell still keeps close contact with Duke assistant coach David Kelly, who recruited the big receiver. "I talk to him probably once a week. I want to play for somebody like him. He came to me straight and said he could make me a better player."
6-1, 196 DB
Hephzibah (Ga.)
To say that Gainey is a confident football player would be an understatement. The physical safety loves to deliver big hits. "If I see somebody coming (over the middle), if they aren't coming full speed, it's over. I'm going to hit them." Gainey's season begins this Friday with a matchup against Laney High School. Recently named by a local outlet to the 'Dream 16', identifying the 16 best players in the Augusta, Georgia, western South Carolina area, Gainey says he still maintains close contact with Duke assistant coach Scott Brown.
6-2, 202 LB
Ashburn (Va.) Stone Bridge
Moving up in classification to 3-A football, playing a more difficult schedule, and learning a new defense are big challenges facing Holoman and his Stone Bridge teammates. "We're doing pretty well, but there's still a lot of room for improvement. We still have a lot of areas to work on." Holoman's season begins September 9th against West Springfield. The athletic linebacker says he feels 'totally committed' to Duke.
5-11, 170 DB/RB
Buford (Ga.)
Pridemore began his season this past Friday with a bang. Though he will play defensive back for Duke in college, he's been forced to take over as Buford's number one tailback. All he did in the season opener was pile up 135 yards on 19 carries in a 31-17 season opening win over a bigger Gainesville school. Even more impressive is that Pridemore has only been practicing for about a week after recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident. With legitimate sub-4.5 speed in the 40 yard dash, Pridemore could prove to be a major steal in the 2005 class.
Devils Illustrated was unable to contact linebacker Tyler Rice or tight end Brett Huffman for this article. We will continue to track all of Duke's commitments throughout the 2005 season.
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Randall Thomason can be reached at randall@rivals.com