Hey Look! A Running Back!
More good news on the recruiting trail today as Penn State landed verbal commitment #14. This one from Philadelphia, New York, running back Curtis Dukes. Dukes is an impressive specimen standing 6'2" and 235 lbs. Oh, and did I mention he runs a 4.4 40?
Dukes ran for 900 yards and 15 TD as a junior, but saw limited playing time as he often sat out the second half of many blowouts. As a sophomore Dukes ran for 1342 yards and 15 TD earning third team All-State honors as well as All-Conference and All-Section honors.
And now, as JB would say, behold his awesomeness in this YouTuberation.
Did anyone else see a little Curtis Enis in that film or was that just me?
Scout rates him a three star prospect while Rivals has yet to get around to rating him. Dukes' recruiting was slow to get off the ground due to the fact his high school would not release his transcript until his junior year was complete. His only offers came from hometown Syracuse, Buffalo, and Pitt. He recently attended a camp at Penn State with transcript in hand and walked away with an offer from the coaching staff which was highly impressed. Some even suspect he was the number one guy on our list.
The addition of Dukes is a sigh of relief for a team struggling to get skill players. With Royster and Carter having three years of eligibility and Green and Beachum each with four I would say we're in pretty good shape at running back for this class. Time to go out there and get a top rated quarterback and some wide receivers and linebackers.
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OK, now I'm starting to get excited about this class!!
That’s the RB that I think we all wanted the most along with Austin out of MD!
Add Austin, 2 more WRs, and a top QB(I know, I know) and this class is Top 10 guaranteed!!
Patiently waiting for the return of Penn State Football
by ReadingNitFan on Jul 2, 2008 2:38 PM EDT 0 recs
Tavon Austin & Curtis Dukes
I think its funny that people are saying that Dukes is thunder and Austin is lightning because if you watch their highlight tapes all of Dukes’ runs are outside and Austins are mostly inside.
by psu814lion on
Jul 2, 2008 5:23 PM EDT
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Woot
This is so exciting, come on QB/WR. What happened to the days when the kids actually came to some games their senior year, at this rate our class will be full before we blow out the Chaniliers
Boom goes the dynamite.
by psu on Jul 2, 2008 2:39 PM EDT 0 recs
Actually
his offer list on scout is incorrect but I don’t know what I can and can’t post. He could end the class as a four star because he is only two spots away from that tier. I love this kid and I can’t wait to see what he can do at the Collegiate level with that size and speed.
by psuphiman80 on Jul 2, 2008 3:11 PM EDT 0 recs
Ok it's public on Scout
He had offers from Pitt, Maryland, Buffalo, and Syracuse.
by psuphiman80 on
Jul 2, 2008 4:39 PM EDT
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Tavon Austin
We aren’t done yet, lets add at least one more to the party.
by gbd106 on Jul 2, 2008 3:29 PM EDT 0 recs
Any update on
Jelani Jenkins out of MD? LJ Sr. should be camped out at his house.
Pat Devlin in '08
by Nick7 on Jul 2, 2008 3:35 PM EDT 0 recs
WORD!
...a bit of Enis, a bit of LJ too…and he is wearing “26”...
NOT to take anything away from Beachum…but this kid “looks” like he could play his freshman year.
2009 Running Backs: Evan “Rolls-Royster”, Speedy Green, Brent Carter, Beachum, AND Dukes…all healthy…all fresh legged…all different styles…WOW, that’s deep!
Old School... MEETS New School!
by BlueWhiteLife on Jul 2, 2008 4:32 PM EDT 0 recs
Hmmm
It almost seems like a waste to have all those guys listed as RBs. Maybe some could make the switch to defense, like CB or safety? Couldn’t hurt to have some speedsters on that side of the ball.
Luring recruits with my new "Posting HD" scheme since '08.
by 06Lion on
Jul 2, 2008 4:36 PM EDT
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Carter / LB...
This was posted a few months back; but synopsis was comparing Carter to Enis as well, since both started out as LB’s. Carter showed his stuff @ the MSU game when he got some touches.
Who would you guys choose to move to “D” out of: Carter, Beachum, Dukes…? I bet you really would hate to play “that card!” Our “true” LB’s are stacked already…so we really would be talking about moving someone to corner?
To me, Carter is the 3rd RB this year…and THAT is tough to call him a “3” on one hand becasue his size & style is not like either Royster nor Green….He is the power guy out of the three…so that’s the different look you give the D with him…but, Royster CAN punch up the middle too…I’m definately taking that away from him!
I love this stuff…the options..!
Old School... MEETS New School!
by BlueWhiteLife on
Jul 3, 2008 9:53 AM EDT
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"definately NOT..."
revised…
Old School... MEETS New School!
by BlueWhiteLife on
Jul 3, 2008 10:07 AM EDT
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Yeah
but does he have to play freshman year? Or maybe they use him as an athlete and do other stuff depending on our WR recruiting. Theres a long way to go until February when we’ll be able to tell what our needs will be.
by psuphiman80 on
Jul 2, 2008 4:41 PM EDT
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Yes...
All our players kick ass, especially the ones that have even signed a letter of intent.
Must…maintain…composure….
For the Glory; National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994
by jesse. on
Jul 2, 2008 6:07 PM EDT
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was it me or...
did it look like every play in his highlight film was the exact same play? it looked like the wing-T with him on the right motioning to left and getting taking the handoff.
by WETSU on Jul 2, 2008 5:06 PM EDT 0 recs
You are correct
His team ran the Wing T. If he was smaller, or not as fast I might worry about him, but his measureables are amazing.
by psuphiman80 on
Jul 2, 2008 5:09 PM EDT
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yeah
austin scott and morelli had pretty impressive measureables too…
by PSUfanSTUCKinSECland on
Jul 2, 2008 5:19 PM EDT
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Thankfully
Jay doesn’t coach the running backs. And our track record with RBs is way better than QB so I’m not worried.
by psuphiman80 on
Jul 2, 2008 5:53 PM EDT
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Curtis Dukes
I’ve been anticipating this commitment for some time now, I’m really glad that it finally happened. At that size…running 4.38-4.4-4.5 times consistently is absurd. I’ve read elsewhere that the coaches visited Indian River 3 or 4 times in an effort to secure a commit from Dukes during his recruitment and he has obviously been to Penn State before.
Both sides should be very happy with this commitment and I really love his potential as the 25 carry a game back who has speed and the chance to be the total package. Penn State gets a “need” recruit, Curtis has a great opportunity at Penn State and knows their won’t be 3 or 4 RBs brought in every year like at other schools and finally his family & mother because of the academics.
As a rap fan and avid highlight watcher, I did get a kick out of his highlights. Junior Year; “Subtext title here”...LOL. Couldn’t decide between which songs, and definitely made a mistake by not sticking with T.I. – Touchdown later in the video. All in all though, we should know more throughout his senior year because his coach said he will try to run more I formation and such with Curtis as well as possibly play him more at DE/LB. From what I can gather/understand, Curtis could have monster numbers but his coach isn’t out to embarrass anyone and Curtis sits the second half more times than not and for good reason, he is a vastly superior athlete. Competition is a concern, but if you just focus on Curtis and don’t bother looking at the kids trying to chase him or drag him down than you can tell he is an exceptional talent with some wiggle.
by RBGmug on Jul 2, 2008 7:05 PM EDT 0 recs
Soph Film...
Watching those highlights, it’s nuts to know he is a 15/16yr old @ that size + blowing by jr’s & sr’s…
I did note as the films progressed, some coach must have pulled him aside & told him to tuck the ball to the side-line once he breaks it away. The first group of clips he did not do this at all…he’s just faster / stronger than the rest I guess. Big10 play wouldn’t be so lucky…
WELCOME DUKES!
Old School... MEETS New School!
by BlueWhiteLife on
Jul 3, 2008 9:40 AM EDT
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Dukes rules roost
The comparisons are good, but I think I see a lot of Mr. Aaron Harris in this Dukes kid! Welcome aboard my bro.
T J Walker
by teejaywalker on Jul 2, 2008 9:54 PM EDT 0 recs
dukes...
I see more LJ than AH…this kid seems to have that long legs and extra gear of LJ…AH was a pure bruiser w/ a little speed.
Seeing him blow out the knee against OSU was horrible..would a have been a great NFL player.
by SweepTheLeg on Jul 3, 2008 9:42 AM EDT 0 recs
the big easy
he reminds me a bit of omar easy but a shad faster…about the same size and hopefully he has a more productive career than omar
by PSUfanSTUCKinSECland on Jul 3, 2008 11:02 AM EDT 0 recs
Comparisions...
I’m gussessing this will end after his 1st year on the field.
He will be “Dukes”...and Dukes alone.
Did he verbal &/or sign a letter?
Old School... MEETS New School!
by BlueWhiteLife on
Jul 3, 2008 12:06 PM EDT
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Welcome back you crazy-spinning siren
Now how about some audible with that flashing light? (just kidding)
by NJ lion on Jul 3, 2008 1:07 PM EDT 0 recs
You guys don’t ask for much, do ya?
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on
Jul 3, 2008 1:09 PM EDT
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Only trying to make a great site
even better!
Seriously, I can’t believe all the updates and posting recently. I feel like if I’m away from the site for even a couple of hours I’m missing a ton of news. I can’t imagine how busy this site is going to be when the season actually starts!
by NJ lion on
Jul 3, 2008 1:42 PM EDT
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YEA-USSSS!
now….how ‘bout some audio big Mike!
Old School... MEETS New School!
by BlueWhiteLife on
Jul 3, 2008 1:56 PM EDT
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Think about it
Do you really want the guy in the cubicle next to you at work hearing “WHOOOooooooOOOOOOOOooooooooOOOOO” when you check in on BSD?
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on
Jul 3, 2008 2:00 PM EDT
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" I kid, I kid..."
(but thank God I am not in the cubicle world…down here in “Sssharlotte, North Kack-a-lak”)
If I could, I’d post a siren for both yours & Kevin’s GREAT WORK on this site & the enthusiam shared by all! ! !
How 'bout I "find" one and mail it to the home office!
Old School... MEETS New School!
by BlueWhiteLife on
Jul 3, 2008 2:06 PM EDT
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It ain't easy.
Kevin and I and all the PSU and Big Ten bloggers talk often about how difficult it is to keep a blog going in the offseason. But we try to get something up for you guys at least once a day Mon-Fri.
Once the season starts we’ll settle into more of a rhythm, but there will be a ton of information to share for discussion. I imagine an almost set weekly schedule looking something like this.
Monday – Game reviews (Offense and Defense)
Tuesday – Blogpoll ballot/Big Ten Weekly Review
Wednesday – Blue White Roundtable/Basketball
Thursday – Big Ten Roundtable/JoePa Presser Review/Basketball
Friday – Game Previews
Saturday – Game Day Open Threads
More often than not that will be the typical format for a week during the season. That’s a lot of material but we enjoy doing it. With Kevin on board I’m hoping I have more time to branch off into basketball before we get into January this year.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on
Jul 3, 2008 1:59 PM EDT
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schedule sounds good
I can’t wait for the season to start.
Also, thanks for fixing the siren. That just made my day.
by rmcmillen50 on
Jul 3, 2008 6:31 PM EDT
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