Ross Cockrell helped keep Duke's incredible recruiting week on track when he announced his verbal commitment Wednesday night. The Charlotte native is a three-star defensive back, bringing the total number of in-state recruits to nine, one more than the last four years combined. Cockrell also held offers from Virginia and Liberty, and had been drawing interest from Michigan and Illinois.
So far, the 2009 class consists of eight offensive players, nine defensive players and a generically listed athlete. Cutcliffe, however, has been known to disregard distinctions such as these in the past. The only specific positions he ever recognizes in his recruiting classes are quarterback, placekicker and punter. Other than that, he splits the players into skill and line positions, leaving him plenty of leeway for where to place his new players.
Whatever he chooses to do, there's no denying it should be something special. Six months away from National Signing Day, Cutcliffe still has plenty of time to make this already great recruiting class even better.
--by Matthew Iles
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