Blue Devil freshman class lauded

Usually it's the Duke basketball recruits who receive media-hype. With the fall sports season approaching, though, the incoming freshmen for the soccer team are getting some love too.

In an article for Top Drawer Soccer titled, "ACC squad may have top freshman in country," Jahmal Corner breaks down the Blue Devils recruiting class, among other teams.

He writes:

Duke

Signed: Jake Butwin (Alberston SC), Sean Akira Davis (New York Red Bulls), Nat Eggleston (DC United), Chase Keesling (CASL), Andrew Morales (CASL), Nick Palodichuk (Seattle Sounders), Matt Slotnick (Hicksville Strikers), Riley Wolfe (LA Galaxy)

Skinny: Dynamite class for the Blue Devils. Palodichuk, Davis and Wolfe were Top 100 prospects who should be great college additions. Eggleston is a standout defender who has experience in the U.S. National Team program.

This is exactly the kind of injection the program needs if it wishes to get over the hump against the rest of the ACC powers.

A few of those highlighted freshmen may step in and be immediate contributors for the Blue Devils.

Palodichuk, a 6-foot-0 freshman from Battleground, Washington, was on the United States U-17 National Team and is still involved with the program as a part of the player pool for the U-20 team. Rated as high as the No. 2 recruit in the nation, he should add experienced help in the midfield.

Joining Palodichuk in the midfield is Davis, who Top Drawer Soccer rated as the No. 3 recruit in the country. Additionally, Riley Wolfe may be a key component in the middle for head coach John Kerr. Although Wolfe is small at 5-foot-5, his footwork and quickness earned him time with the national team and a No. 17 overall ranking from Top Drawer Soccer.