Duke has picked up its 16th commitment in Clerance France, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker at Carver High in Columbus, Ga.

France, who has 4.6-second speed in the 40-yard dash, was also offered scholarships by Western Kentucky and Troy.

We’ve given you periodic updates on ACC recruiting rankings of the Class of 2010, courtesy of Scout.com.

Here’s a quick check of where SEC schools stand—and I know there’s plenty of interest in college football’s best league, because I hear from its supporters all the time.

N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe is glad to see the NCAA trying to clean up men’s basketball recruiting, but also is concerned that in some cases the college sports governing body is throwing out the baby with the bath water.

On Thursday, the Division I Board of Directors approved rules meant to stop college programs from funneling money to associates of recruits. College coaches who run afoul of the rules could be suspended from postseason or even regular-season games.

Forsyth Country Day tight end Nick Sink has accepted a scholarship to Duke, his coach said.

Sink, who is 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, was also being heavily recruited by North Carolina and Kentucky, although neither had offered a scholarship yet.

Staff photo by Chuck Liddy

DURHAM – Before Duke’s exhibition opener even started, a security guard ordered students to hand down the signs they’d brought to Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Harrison Barnes, a 6-foot-6 forward from Ames, Iowa, who’s rated the top high school senior in the nation, was about to enter the arena to watch Duke’s 128-70 pasting Pfeiffer in its exhibition opener Saturday.

Kyrie Irving put on a blue ball cap and announced that he is committing to Duke on ESPN-U on Thursday evening.

But Irving wouldn't lobby his friend, Harrison Barnes, to join him in committing to the Blue Devils.

N.C. State has been buried beneath 131 points in its past three games, and Wake Forest’s and Duke’s quarterbacks have picked its secondary apart. So help is desperately needed in that area, right?

Well, it is and it isn’t. There’s already talent on hand. The Pack does already have good young talent enrolled. At safety they’ve got a redshirt freshman - Earl Wolff - and a true freshman - Brandan Bishop - who should be quality players once they gain experience.

East Carolina may have smuggled a good one out of  in 6-foot, 260-pound Terry Williams of Grayson High in Loganville, Ga., who has committed to the Pirates.

"He’s probably the best player I’ve ever coached,” said Grayson coach Mickey Conn moments ago. “Not too many kids I’ve ever coached have his leadership abilities; the kids just follow him. He’s a winner, and he takes it personal when he or the team doesn’t do well.”

Kyrie Irving's announcement of his commitment will occur at 5:30 p.m. today on ESPN-U, according to a post on Irving's Twitter page.

Irving, a senior point guard from St. Patrick High in Elizabeth, N.J., is choosing between Texas A&M, Duke and Kentucky. He is rated the No. 5 player overall in the nation by scout.com.

It's going to be an extremely interesting week for basketball recruiting at Duke.

Kyrie Irving, a point guard who's rated among the top 10 players in the nation, said on his Twitter page that he plans to announce a commitment Thursday on ESPN-U. Irving, who attends St. Patrick High in Elizabeth, N.J., said he is choosing between Texas A&M, Duke and Kentucky.