The Duke Blue Devils and head coach Manny Diaz recently offered a talented defensive prospect in the 2027 recruiting class earlier this month.
After a magical run during the 2025 college football season, the Duke Blue Devils and head coach Manny Diaz will now look to build off the recent success for the future of the program.
Last year, the Blue Devils finished the season with an impressive 9-5 record under Diaz, having won their last four games. This includes a win against the North Carolina Tar Heels and an overtime victory against the Virginia Cavaliers. And with star quarterback Darian Mensah off to Miami, it’s clear that the program will need to retool the roster in the future.
Luckily for the fanbase, Diaz and company are starting to make some noise within the 2027 recruiting class this offseason.
Earlier this month, 2027 safety prospect Jake Thies announced that he has received an offer from the Blue Devils.
What To Know About Thies
Thies is one of the more under-the-radar prospects within the 2027 recruiting class, as he has yet to be ranked amongst the top high school talents in the country. However, the Oak Park, IL native could be an incredible hidden gem for Duke.
Throughout his time at Fenwick High School, Thies has demonstrated his outstanding athletic ability, playing on both sides of the ball. On offense, Thies thrived in both the pass and run game out of the backfield, as he is an electric playmaker with the ball in his hands.
While he may be a terrific gadget player on offense, the well-polished high school prospect is projected to be a safety at the college level. Thies made this clear in his post regarding Duke’s offer, stating that he was in conversations with both defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke and safeties coach Rick Lyster. Standing at 6-foot, 180 lbs., Thies already possesses the ideal frame for a defensive back at the college level.
Looking at the Blue Devils’ current 2027 recruiting class, Diaz has managed to secure one commit in three-star EDGE King Kalama. Luckily, the program is set to have four prospect visits this offseason, including three-star wide receiver Jonathan Dillon and three-star safety Brandon Lockley.
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