Duke football signing day live updates: Blue Devils sign 18
Duke landed 18 signings from high school prospects, along with two college transfers, in Wednesday’s early signing day.
“The class is very balanced,” Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. “A lot of speed and athleticism, a lot of strength. Thrilled with both sides of the football. Meet a lot of needs in this class. And yeah, just from a character standpoint, from an effort standpoint, and an ability standpoint, we are absolutely thrilled.”
Six of Duke’s newly signed high school prospects will enroll in school for the spring semester, making them available for whatever spring practices the school is able to conduct during the pandemic.
Those six players are quarterback Jordan Moore, linebackers Anthony Freeman and Nick Morris, cornerbacks Brandon Johnson and Joshua Pickett and defensive end Aaron Hall.
Johnson, Freeman and Hall are all in-state products with Johnson coming from Newton-Conover High near Hickory while Freeman and Hall are from Durham high schools.
“Tre (Freeman) at Northern, Aaron at Southern,” Cutcliffe said. “High character young men. We just couldn’t be more thrilled. And always, always, we start inside-out recruiting, which means Durham first. Trey is going to be a linebacker for us and Aaron a defensive end and it’s gonna be fun to watch both of those really athletic guys who really can can do a lot of things.”
Duke class of 2021 signings
CAMERON BERGERON, CORNERBACK
High school and hometown: Westover, Albany Georgia
A three-star recruit, this athletic defensive back held offers from West Virginia, Pitt, Tennessee before picking Duke last August. Michigan has since offered as well. Could be next standout defensive back for Blue Devils.
AARON HALL, DEFENSIVE END
High school and hometown: Southern, Durham
Virginia and Syracuse have also offered Hall, who is one of two hometown players who have committed to the Blue Devils in this year’s camp. He’ll certainly need to fill out his 6-6, 220-pound frame but should develop well under defensive line coach Ben Albert.
BRANDON JOHNSON, CB
High school and hometown: Newton-Conover, Newton NC
A 3-star recruit who committed to Duke in May, the 5-10, 170-pounder also had offers from Wake Forest, East Carolina, Northwestern and others. The speedy Johnson will join Pickett in competing for playing time in the secondary.
TRENT BROADNAX, WIDE RECEIVER
High school and hometown: Benedictine Military, Savannah, Ga.
The 6-1, 190-pounder was a 3-star recruit and committed in April. He drew interest from Army and Air Force in addition to Cincinnati and will join a recruiting corps at Duke that includes Eli Pancol, Jake Bobo, Jarett Garner, Jalen Calhoun and Darrell Harding Jr.
DYLAN MERRELL, CORNERBACK
High school and hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia
The Blue Devils continue a run of strong recruiting in the Atlanta area by nabbing Merrell, who had offers from Tennessee, Oklahoma and Indiana before picking Duke last May. Another solid defensive back prospect.
TRE FREEMAN, LINEBACKER
High school and hometown: Northern, Durham
Joins Hall and hometown players in Duke’s class. Freeman had plenty of in-state interest as Appalachian State, Wake Forest and East Carolina also offered him. He’s a rangy, athletic linebacker.
SAHMIR HAGANS, WIDE RECEIVER
High school and hometown: St. Joseph’s, Philadelphia
The 3-star recruit doesn’t have a lot of size (5-9, 168) but had recruiting interest from Miami, Syracuse, Arizona State in addition to some Ivy League schools. He could help Duke quickly as a receiver or kick returner.
JAQUEZ MOORE, RUNNING BACK
High school and hometown: Suwannee, Live Oak, Fla.,
At 5-11 and 185 pounds, the 3-star recruit had committed to Georgia Southern before changing to Duke. Moore could be used at running back by the Blue Devils although there are options.
ANDREW JONES, OFFENSIVE TACKLE
High school and hometown: Reagan, Pfafftown
Top-rated recruit in Duke’s 2021 class, this three-star player is the nation’s No. 39 tackle, per 247sports.com. Jones committed last January and has stayed in the fold.
JUSTIN PICKETT, OFFENSIVE GUARD
High school and hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Possesses tremendous size at 6-7 and 315 pounds so he could project as a tackle one day for Duke. Pickett also has offers from Minnesota and Iowa State.
JOSHUA PICKETT, CORNERBACK
High school and hometown: Habersham Central, Mount Airy, Ga.
The 3-star recruit committed in February. The 6-0, 175-pounder will compete in a secondary with defensive backs such as Josh Blackwell and Leonard Johnson.
TRENT DAVIS, RUNNING BACK
High school and hometown: Etowah, Attalia, Ala.
A 3-star recruit, the 5-11, 175-pound Davis will be among those looking to replace the departed Deon Jackson and join Mataeo Durant in the backfield.
NICK MORRIS JR., LINEBACKER
High school and hometown: Westlake, Austin, Texas
Rated 49th at his inside linebacker position and a 3-star recruit by 247sports.com, Morris has prototypical size at 6-3 and 225 pounds and drew recruiting interest from Oklahoma State.
RILEY LEONARD, QUARTERBACK
High school and hometown: Fairhope, Alabama
At 6-4 and 203 pounds Leonard needs to bulk up upon arrival at Duke. But he’s a good enough athlete to eventually compete for a starting job. Terrific shooting guard in basketball as well. Picked Duke over Mississippi.
JORDAN MOORE, QUARTERBACK
High school and hometown: Loyola Blakefield, Towson, Maryland
Arriving at 6-2 and 175 pounds, Moore possesses the athleticism Cutcliffe wants his quarterbacks to use to extend plays via either the run or the pass. Like Leonard, he’ll benefit from a college-level conditioning program to add strength and bulk.
PLACIDE DJUNGU-SUNGU, SAFETY
High school and hometown: Martin, Arlington, Texas
Another three-star recruit, Djungu-Sungu will join Duke’s defensive backfield where nearly all the players learn to play cornerback and safety. He’s a solid prospect at 6-0 and 170 pounds who also excels in track and field.
TREY BROWN, LINEBACKER
High school and hometown: Arcadia, Phoenix
The 3-star inside linebacker, who started his high school career in Charlotte, is another rangy type at 6-3 and 205 pounds who could be used as backup depth to Duke’s Rocky Shelton and Shaka Heyward, two returning starters inside.
MANDELA TOBIN, DEFENSIVE END
High school and hometown: Westview, San Diego
The 6-4, 270-pound defensive lineman committed early this month, turning down Nebraska, and has the quickness and versatility that could earn him some early playing time.
Transfers
JA’MION FRANKLIN, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Former school: Notre Dame
Blue Devils will be hit hard by graduation along the defensive front, meaning Franklin will have a chance to step in and make a quick impact if, as expected, the NCAA allows transfers to play immediately. He would have three years of eligibility remaining.
KADE PARMELLY, OFFENSIVE GUARD
Former school: Abilene Christian
The 6-3, 308-pound Parmelly comes to Duke as a graduate transfer. He’ll add much-needed depth along the Blue Devils’ interior line.
This story was originally published December 16, 2020 at 6:10 AM.