Duke pulls in-state lineman

Duke picked up a pledge tonight from a talented in-state offensive lineman. Who pulled the trigger and what made him pick the Blue Devils?

"I committed tonight to Coach Cutcliffe and Duke," Tarboro, N.C. offensive tackle Takoby Cofield said. "I soft verballed there back in late April, early May. Then I was looking around at other schools to see what everybody else had to offer. I found my best situation was at Duke with all the guys they've got committed in this class. They are cool and down-to-earth. I talk to them a lot on the phone and they are ready to turn this thing around. Then, I went to Duke's camp this weekend and loved it. That solidified everything.

"I know I mentioned a decision on August 14th for our jamboree, but I felt waiting that long would be selfish when I'm 100% now. I feel this is the best situation and place I can go and they recruited the right way and hard. I'm excited to be a Blue Devil."

What was Cutcliffe's reaction to the news?

"He told me he felt the whole time that I'd go there," he said. "He then said he was glad about my decision that it finally came out this way and I've become a Blue Devil."

Cofield touched on what stuck out about Duke.

"The biggest thing is that the coaches are committed to seeing this thing turn around," he stated. "They have that mentality that you plant good seeds and reap good seeds. They are planting really good ones right now and I like everything they are trying to do.

"It's an amazing school as far as academics and football. I'm planning to study economics or political science. It's the best fit for me."

The three-star prospect could play numerous positions on the line once he arrives in Durham.

"At camp on Saturday they tried me at both guard and tackle positions," he said. "The coaches like me at left tackle, but guard wouldn't be a bad option either. They said with my feet, lateral movement and athletic ability that I have upside at left tackle and they'll start me off there, but if a guard position opens up they'll offer it to me."

Overall Cofield is happy to have a decision behind him.

"It was a really tough one and they say you only get to go through the recruiting process once so take your time," he said. "I'm just glad it's over with. I had really good times and met a lot of good guys. I'll always remember it and I'm just grateful I've been blessed with the ability and have the chance to do the things I will do."

Now in the fold, Cofield is working for Duke.

"I'm already working on Kareem Martin and Ethan Farmer. I'm working those guys pretty hard and I'll just talk to them as a friend."

Cofield is the seventh commitment for Duke in the 2010 recruiting class.