Alabama CB has Vanderbilt connection and offer
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — C.J. Duncan has one more year at Vanderbilt, but could there be another Duncan headed to Nashville (Tenn.) to play for the Commodores in the coming years? It is too early to say for certain, but C.J.'s younger brother, Collin Duncan is a sophomore out of Montgomery (Ala.) St. James and he has already earned a Vanderbilt offer.
Almost a year ago now, Vanderbilt saw all they needed to see in the 6-foot-1, 170-pound cornerback.
"I was up at Vanderbilt last summer for a full day camping, so they got to work me hard and see me at my lowest and my highest that day," said Duncan. "I think the coaches liked how I was able to take coaching, how I love to learn and that is when they offered me.
"It was pretty exciting to get my first offer. I worked hard that day, they saw that and it felt really good."
That offer came after a morning and afternoon camp session. Duncan had just completed his freshman year, so he was one of the youngest participants in that camp. He was going up against guys much older, but he kept competing and earned that offer.
Duncan was ready for that. Partly due to his brother being in his ear.
"C.J. gives me endless support and advice every day. He is always telling me to compete against guys that are bigger, stronger and older than me because that is what is going to advance me. He gives me tips on what can get me smarter about the game and just to always keep grinding. He makes sure that I know, when I take time off, others are still grinding, so I need to get back to work.
"I definitely give him some credit for helping me get that first offer. He is always there for me. He has been a big help for me and I know I listen to everything he says."
Now that Duncan has an offer from the school he brother is currently playing at, does that give Vanderbilt an advantage? Could we see another Duncan there in a few years?
"My brother going there is not a big deal in my decision, said Duncan. "I would not really say it gives Vanderbilt any type of edge or anything. I am going to look at all of my options and see who all offers.
"I do have interest in Vanderbilt and I do like them, but if I go there, it will be because I like it, not just because my brother played there."
The younger Duncan has spent many days in Nashville in recent years, so he has a very good feel for the schools, the coaches and the overall environment. The coaches stand out as much as anything.
"I love the coaches up there and I really like how they take in everyone as family. They don't exclude anyone, they treat everyone equally and they all take the players in. They do not care if a player is a five-star, four-star or three-star, they treat them all alike, they treat all like family and I like that a lot.
"I also like the campus, they offer a great education and the coaches I believe are going to make the football program great. It is a great school who I think is only going to get better in football."
Florida, LSU, South Carolina and some other SEC schools also have Duncan's attention. If he had to name one favorite while growing up, he said it would be LSU because of their defense and the way that they have produced defensive backs.
He is going to take part in numerous camps this summer and Rivals expects his offer list to grow in the coming months.
