David Cutcliffe’s 2016 recruiting class was arguably the best in program history.
And it doesn’t look like his incoming 2017 recruiting class will be far behind.
Duke picked up its fourth 2017 verbal commitment Thursday when four-star linebacker Ellis Brooks announced his intention to take his talents to Durham at a ceremony at his high school. 247Sports.com ranks Brooks as the 16th-best outside linebacker and the 209th overall prospect in the nation. He is also charted as the seventh best player in the state of Virginia.
Officially committed 100% to Duke University!!!⚪️⚪️ #DukeGang17 pic.twitter.com/MdhbKLUXf7
— Ellis Brooks (@EllisBrooks35) March 24, 2016
Brooks is currently a junior at Benedictine High School in Richmond, Va., the same high school that produced 2016 four-star prospect Scott Bracey, who will enroll at Duke this summer. Bracey was ranked as a four-star prospect by most recruiting outlets and is expected to play wide receiver for Cutcliffe as early as this fall.
The linebacker also had offers from Notre Dame, Michigan, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Maryland.
Bell's Ringing Loud!!! BANG BANG DUKEGANG17
— David Cutcliffe (@DavidCutcliffe) March 24, 2016
Brooks joins wide receiver Damond Johnson, offensive lineman Jacob Rimmer and running back Marvin Hubbard as the initial members of Cutcliffe’s 2017 class. With the recent commitment, Duke moves up to 30th in the latest 247Sports.com 2017 recruiting class rankings.
Stay tuned to the Blue Zone as the recruiting trail heats up this spring and the Blue Devils try to reel in some of the nation’s top prospects.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.