Most observers believe for Duke to be
successful on the recruiting trails there will have to be a
healthy mix between in-state prospects and prospects from others
states most years. Seldom, however, has Duke looked to the state
of Oklahoma for football players.
That's changing in the Class of 2011, as
Duke has taken a high level of interest in
Kentrell Brothers, one of the top prospects in the state of
Oklahoma.
The 6-foot, 207-pound prospect spoke with Devils Illustrated
about the recent developments in the recruiting process, with a
special emphasis on where Duke stands with him these days.
"Duke offered me on Friday morning," Brothers explained. "I
think I sent them some film. One of their coaches gave me his
number and told me to call him.
"At first I really hadn't given any thought to Duke. Then once I
talked to them I looked them up a little bit and saw that
they've been doing better. They're actually on the rise. People
always say it's a basketball school, but the football team did
better last year.
"Plus, it's the type of school that's the caliber education-wise
where it would be good to go to. You'd get a good education
there."
All of that sounds fine, but wouldn't it be difficult for
Brothers to take a visit to Durham? Wouldn't that eventually
cause schools closer to home to develop an advantage over the
Blue Devils?
"I think my mom would be able to get me up there sometime soon,"
he said of Duke. "I don't know if it would be for an official or
an unofficial, but I think she could do it. Their coach told me
whatever day I'd be able to get down there he would make it a
junior day for me."
In addition to Duke, Brothers holds an offer from Missouri. The
Guthrie, Oklahoma prospect has also heard from Oklahoma State,
Washington, Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas State, Tulsa and
a few others.
He expects most schools to recruit him as a linebacker, but he's
open to playing on the offensive side of the ball in college as
well.
When the time comes for Brothers to make his decision he has a
pretty good idea of what he will be looking for in a school.
"First off it would be the coaches," he said. "I've got to be
comfortable being with the coaches that will be there with me
for four years in college. Then I'll have to go with the
education I would receive from that school."
The following article was supplied to Guthrie Sports Page
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