What we learned: Duke Nike camp
DURHAM, N.C. - Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell breaks down five things we learned from the Nike camp at Duke on Sunday.
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1. Azubike could blow up
We've been hoping to see Nashville (Tenn.) McGavock defensive end Caleb Azubike in person this spring. First he was going to attend the VTO camp in Georgia and then the Nike camp in Athens but he wasn't able to make either. And although we saw him at the Ultimate 100 camp in Nashville a year ago, we had heard he was bigger, stronger and better.
Finally he showed up, unannounced and somewhat unexpected, at the Duke camp. Wearing jersey No. 479 with no name on the back as a walk-up registrant, it wasn't until the full roster was handed out that it was clear that Azubike was there.
While he has early offers from Vanderbilt, Boston College and Kentucky, there is a chance things could blow up for Azubike in the next few months. Miami has apparently offered him now and that offer could bring many others.
2. Future linebackers
A few of them were playing out of position like future North Carolina likebacker Phillip Williamson (played defensive back), North Carolina defensive end Jamal Marcus (played defensive end but looks more like a 'backer) and massive Jay Jay McCullough from Fort Mill (S.C.) Nation Ford (played wide receiver). Many of them were where they belonged, but there was an abundance of future linebackers in attendance including many underclassmen.
Nick Dawson from Charlotte won the MVP award over studs like Kwontie Moore and Deon Clarke as well as T.J. Burrell and Dahman McKinnon. And in the younger classes, Peter Kalambayi and Holland Fisher (2013) and Aaron Glover, a 2014 from Virginia Beach (Va.) Princess Anne.
3. Goose Creek split
Burrell, who has out-of-state offers from Duke, Illinois and Vanderbilt, said that his current favorite is Clemson while his talented 2013 teammate, Tramel Terry, favors South Carolina over offers from Clemson, Georgia, North Carolina, N.C. State and others.
Goose Creek 2011 star Brandon Shell committed and signed with the Gamecocks for the 2011 class. Many expected both Burrell and Terry to follow. Stay tuned.
4. Hokie Haven
The Virginia Tech Hokies had the most commitments of anyone at the event as running back J.C. Coleman, wide receiver/safety Desmond Frye, defensive back Der'Woun Greene and linebacker Dahman McKinnon all participated.
Coleman was the running back MVP while the others all did well at their respective positions. Frye projects as a safety for Virginia Tech and McKinnon is likely to play the WHIP position. Greene is expected to be a cornerback.
5. North Carolina speed
Wide receiver Kedrick Davis was at the camp fresh off a 10.47 100-meter time in the 2A track and field championships on Saturday, finishing first. Teammate and fellow wide receiver Germone Hopper ran a 10.68 (third) and running back Todd Gurley ran a 10.71 (fifth). Gurley also won the 110 hurdles while Davis and Hopper finished third and fourth in the 200 meters, respectively, as well. Throw in running back Keith Marshall, who wasn't at the camp but runs a sub-10.5 100 meters, and the state of North Carolina is loaded with speed for the class of 2012.
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