Duke's makeover helps recruiting, plus notes on Vols' surge and more commits ...

Things are quietly changing in Durham, N.C., as David Cutcliffe has shaken things up a bit entering his fourth year as the coach for the Duke Blue Devils.

"Duke doesn't look like the Duke of four years ago," Cutcliffe said. "We are raising the bar in recruiting and that's something we will continue to do. We are raising the bar with the athletes we are bringing in here and that's starting to show."

When Cutcliffe arrived on campus, the Blue Devils were the only team in major college football that didn't have a 100-yard practice field. They practiced on a 70-yard field. That was changed quickly. Now they are less than a month away from completing an indoor practice facility. They added a media center and full training facility and other things were giving face lifts. Basically, there's been a complete renovation and restoration of the Duke football program, including the roster.

"We are thrilled," Cutcliffe said. "It shows a complete commitment to the football program. This has been a real change for us. And that means we have had real changes in recruiting."

They are young and good. Duke went 3-9 last season but I know things are changing with Coach Cut. They are building new indoor facilities and they are bringing in better and better recruiting classes. Duke has committed some guys from my area that I know are good.

2011 SELC Division I Preview

During the off season the SELC expanded to 40 teams and reorganized its league playoff system to better fit its geographic situation. That’s where the majority of the change in the league will end. Look for the usual suspects to run the show in 2011.  In Division I, Florida, Florida State, and Virginia Tech will continue as favorites. Georgia Tech and Clemson are two teams that may have a good chance of breaking the top three.

Northeast

#1 Virginia Tech Hokies Key Player Returning: Kevin Hayden, Junior, Attack, Captain

Virginia Tech plays an average schedule with several key games against Illinois, Northern Virginia Community College, Texas, North Texas, and Florida State (at Duke).

Coach Quote: “It seems to me that the competition in the SELC gets tougher every year.  We need to work hard to stay competitive.  Team defense and riding are going to be points of emphasis this year.  I am particularly encouraged and pleased with the commitment of our players to improvement and with the increased intensity of the leadership being provided by our captains.”

#2 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key Players Returning: Will Patch (HM All SELC), attack, Tyler Turri (HM All SELC), Dan Huettenmoser, Ryan Conlon, Jon Kilbourn, midfield, Brian Murphy (2nd team All SELC), Justin

Clemson plays Limestone, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Georgia Tech and South Carolina.

Coach Quote: “We were blessed with the strongest recruiting class during my time at Clemson and had a successful fall, not only in terms of record (6-0) but more importantly in terms of getting comfortable with one another and building a strong team culture. We look to be a lot deeper and more balanced in 2011; hopefully, we’ll stay injury free as well. The other important addition in fall was having Mike French (Auburn All American at attack) joining the coaching staff.”

#2 Tennessee Volunteers Key Player Returning: Brian Kearney, Senior, Midfield- Senior Captain Brian Kearney totaled 29 points in 2010 (9 assists 20 goals) and led the team in face-offs.

The Commodores look to improve their record for the 3rd year in a row since the addition of Head Coach Tyler Hirsch. The team is starting the season out at Georgia Tech and jumps into conference play quickly by playing Clemson, Tennessee, and Kentucky during the first 6 games of the season. Some schedule highlights include hosting Illinois and Virginia Tech.

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