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Cutcliffe says recruiting class will make an 'impact'

DURHAM – Duke football received binding National Letters of Intent from 20 recruits on Wednesday, closing National Signing Day with what coach David Cutcliffe called an “impact class.”

“There’s strength, there’s size, there’s height, there’s quickness,” said Cutcliffe, whose team has finished with back-to-back 3-9 seasons. “There’s no question in my mind that we have recruited some immediate help there. I couldn’t be more excited.”

Scout.com ranked this Duke recruiting class 10th in the ACC and 63rd overall in the nation. The class includes 10 three-star recruits, while featuring five in-state products.

The Devils added one quarterback, one kicker, eight linemen and 10 backs – meaning a specialty position such as running backs, defensive backs or wide receivers. 

Duke Football Signing Day Report

Cary Panther Creek tight end Dan Beilinson headlines the list of Duke's football signees today. On Duke's official athletics website, however, the position for the 6-foot-5, 240-pound, three-star prospect is listed as "Line."

Check back here over the course of the afternoon for Duke Signing Day updates, as well as for a separate post off Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe's Signing Day news conference.

Duke football hires assistant Latina

Duke football coach David Cutcliffe announced the hiring of assistant coach John Latina as the team's new offensive line coach. 

Latina, replaces offensive line coach Matt Luke, who accepted a position at his alma mater Ole Miss. 

Duke welcomes a veteran offensive line coach, who has worked on football staffs around the country since 1982. He spent five seasons at Clemson from 1994-98. 

“John is one of the premier offensive line coaches in the country, and his track record for developing young linemen speaks for itself," Cutcliffe said in a released statement.

Slow starts leaving Duke behind curve

DURHAM -- Duke came back from a 14-point halftime deficit to come within a point of beating Wake Forest on Saturday, another game where the Blue Devils’ habit of starting slowly held them back at the finish.

In five of Duke’s seven games so far, the Blue Devils have been behind at the half. They’ve been tied once and ahead once -- accounting for two of Duke’s three wins this season.

In the other five games, Duke has been outscored 90-34 in the first half and been down by a touchdown or more at halftime in three of them.

Duke makes change at RB, battling injuries

While Duke has a number of injuries to watch this week, the biggest change on the Blue Devils’ depth chart isn’t injury related. Jay Hollingsworth will start at running back this week against Wake Forest, Duke coach David Cutcliffe announced Tuesday.

“I was really disappointed in our run game, but mostly with our running backs,” Cutcliffe said. “Our offensive line gave us some opportunities that didn’t occur just because we didn’t run the football well. … (Hollingsworth) ran the ball than everyone else did. He deserves it.”

Hollingsworth had 21 yards on four carries Saturday. Desmond Scott led Duke with 66 yards on 10 carries and Juwan Thompson had one yard on six carries.

Duke's Renfree remains starting quarterback

Duke coach David Cutcliffe said on Sunday that Sean Renfree will remain the team's starting quarterback despite his recent woes and a six-turnover performance in a 28-13 loss to Miami on Saturday.

"After looking at it, I still believe that Sean Renfree gives us our best chance to win," Cutcliffe said during a teleconference. "He's our starting quarterback."

Devils need to up physical ante vs. Deacons

Duke coach David Cutcliffe acknowledged Tuesday that for his program to continue to move forward, the Blue Devils are going to have to end their 10-game losing streak against Wake Forest.

And to do that, they're going to have to up the physical ante against the Demon Deacons. Cutcliffe said he was happy with his defense's effort in Saturday's 41-27 win over Elon, but the Blue Devils made too many  mistakes. They'll have to fix that and face a far rougher and tougher opponent in Winston-Salem on Saturday.

Duke notes: Scott will start at tailback

DURHAM – Sophomore tailback Desmond Scott, who led Duke’s rushers with 262 yards last season, has earned the starting nod against Elon on Saturday because “he’s a player that’s good in every phase,’’ coach David Cutcliffe said.

“Whether that’s running screens, whether he’s a route runner or running the football – he’s got a nice knack of running the football,’’ Cutcliffe added Tuesday. “Maybe he’s not the fastest one, but he certainly finds a way to find seams and cracks, and he’s been the most consistent guy at gaining 4 and 5 yards, minimum, per carry. … And he’s taken care of the ball.”

After Duke scrimmage, there's competition at kicker

DURHAM – Duke coach David Cutcliffe said he’s not trying to create a kicking controversy, but after watching Friday night’s scrimmage, “there will be competition.”

Returning starter Will Snyderwine made only one of three field goals – making one from 32 yards, but missing from 30 and 38 – while senior Nick Maggio connected from 20 yards out, and missed from 55.

Duke's Sarmiento has knee surgery

DURHAM -- Duke redshirt freshman Sydney Sarmiento, a reserve defensive end, had his knee scoped Tuesday “but we expect him back soon,’’ coach David Cutcliffe said.

“He’s got a chance [to be back] before the season [beings],’’ he added. “It’s one of those things, you see those guys sometimes after scopes back in six days. But it just depends on how receptive his body is to the surgery they did.”

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