'09 NY RB Curtis Dukes (Penn State Verbal)

[GoRU]

'09 NY RB Curtis Dukes

Running back
Philadelphia (NY) Indian River

Ht: 6-foot-2
Wt: 225 lbs
Forty: 4.4 secs
Class: 2009 (High School)

YouTube - Curtis Dukes #26

[wadc45]

Rivals $

6/2

From the Pitt site...Pitt has offered, joining Syracuse, Penn State and Buffalo. PSU is showing the most interest and he is also hearing from ND and Rutgers.

Rivals $

6/2

From BWI...favors PSU...not sure of when a decision will come but is pretty sure it will be PSU.

[PSU42Fan]

Pretty safe bet this will be verbal #12 unless someone else pulls the trigger first.

All right - we got one of the two backs we needed in this class. Here's hoping Mr. Austin jumps on board by August.

[wadc45]

OSU and PSU have almost identical plans at RB in this class...one speed back and one power back, with a possible WR/RB combo thrown in. Looks like you guys will get Dukes and Austin, which is every bit as good of a combo as what OSU will likely end up with, which is Calos Hyde and Jamaal Berry.

[PennStateAlum]

This guy has good size to be a Big-10 RB. Seems like he compares favorably with Broderick Green.

[FrankBooth]

Rivals and scout both list his 40 time as 4.4; although I'd be thrilled if that was true, I'm skeptical so I wonder where that time came from and what his 40 time really is.

Eh, if he can plow through defenders like Tony Hunt I'll probably be just as happy as I'd be if he could run by them.

[AustinScottistheone]

I don't know how accurate it is comparing between two different events, hell I don't even know if they were timed the same but if you look at Curtis Dukes he ran a 10.8 flat 100 M which is impressive for his size.

6'2-6'1? 215-230? If you look at 6'3 165-170 pound WR commit Brandon Felder from MD, he ran a a 11.05 & 11.22 at the Crimson Tide invitational according to a link in his RP profile. I've seen Brandon listed from 4.4, 4.43 to 4.5.

I think it is safe to say that Curtis Dukes runs 4.4-4.5, I've yet to see a 40 time attributed any higher than 4.4 for him though so if that holds true he is certainly a freakish athlete. I would gladly take Curtis Dukes, hopefully it will happen by the end of June.

[FrankBooth]

I don't know how accurate it is comparing between two different events, hell I don't even know if they were timed the same but if you look at Curtis Dukes he ran a 10.8 flat 100 M which is impressive for his size.

6'2-6'1? 215-230? If you look at 6'3 165-170 pound WR commit Brandon Felder from MD, he ran a a 11.05 & 11.22 at the Crimson Tide invitational according to a link in his RP profile. I've seen Brandon listed from 4.4, 4.43 to 4.5.

Aha! Thanks for benchmarking Dukes with Felder in the 100. It seemed fishy that Dukes would have a 40 time faster than all these DB & WR commits (according to times on scout) except for Morris, but now it does look freakish instead of fishy. WOW!

[wadc45]

Rivals $

6/25

From BWI...talks about his visit to PSU last weekend...has offers from Penn State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Buffalo and Villanova and could decide by the end of the month.

[GoRU]

North Country Sports Net

Indian River football standout Curtis Dukes is fast becoming a well-recruited Division I football prospect, as he closes out his junior year at the Philadelphia, NY school. Dukes’ modest numbers for the Section X Warriors last season have not obscured his growing on-field presence and talent that one Penn State recruiter called “a best kept secret” and “a valuable commodity.”

Indian River Coach Cory Marsell and Athletic Director Ralph “Sandy” Overton are excited about Dukes’ Division I possibilities. Dukes has received interest letters from no less than 15 Division I schools. At the top of the list – and the most persistent to court Dukes – is Penn State, Home of the Nittany Lions and legendary longtime coach Joe Paterno. Penn State recruiters have made at least three visits to Indian River to meet with Dukes.

Curtis has also received interest from Syracuse, Pitt, Connecticut, Maryland, Villanova, Notre Dame, and University of Buffalo, along with others. The Warriors’ running back and defensive end has caught the attention of recruiters because of a growing work ethic, improving not only his physical abilities and endurance, but his scholastic standing as well.

“Curtis great kid and has really stepped up has stepped up his work ethic both on and off the field,” said both Marsell and Overton. “He comes in on his days off during the offseason and continues to demonstrate his commitment and work ethic in the weight room.”

And the effort is paying off big time, with Dukes having bulked up from his 6'1", 200-pound personal stats last year to 6'2" and 230 pounds now. In addition to his size, weight and strength, Dukes also runs track-and-field. The fact he can streak a 100-yard dash in 10.8 seconds has also caught the attention of college recruiters.

Dukes was also invited to Penn State football camp on June 20th to 22nd where college staff got a better look at his talents and work ethic. He also got a look at the school that appears to be his top choice for college in the fall of 2009. Coach Marsell says he expects to make some adjustments to better utilize and showcase Dukes’ talents this fall in his senior year.

“We’ll experiment some, perhaps more “I” formation, running off tackle and giving Curtis the ball a bit more than last year. It will also depend some on the score. We’re not out to embarrass teams and Curtis understands that. We might also move him out to outside linebacker to give him more time on defense.” And said Marsell, “Curtis’ intensity on the field picks up the other Warriors in the game. He helps keep everyone focused.”

How is Dukes taking all of the attention? “He seems to take it all in stride, said Overton. “He’s staying grounded and working hard in school and on the field. He’s a great kid and knows he had a big opportunity.”

[reigle9]

I haven't been paying attention to stuff recently.......did he really not verbal yet?

[FrankBooth]

I think he's waiting just to draw out the agony for the Syracuse fans hoping to get him.

[PSU42Fan]

Official - verbal to PSU.