ATHENS FOOTBALL STAR TAKES NO PRISONERS IN ATTACK ON RECRUITING SCENE

Like a runaway train breaking off the track, gaining speed every second with no stopping anywhere in sight, Troy Athens' Jake Duzey continues to rapidly ascend up the college football recruiting charts this offseason. Some experts have proclaimed Duzey, a big and jet-fast 6-foot-4 inch, 220 pound wide receiver/tight end combo package heading into his senior year this fall, the quickest rising prospect in the state's entire Class of 2011.

At a recruiting combine held at MSU late last month, he was clocked at a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash. In recent weeks, his scholarship offers have nearly tripled, going from a mere handful of mid-majors to over a dozen, including several BCS schools. Spartans sideline general Mark D'antonio offered Duzey last week, adding to his list of majors that now also includes Iowa, Purdue, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Cincinnati and Oregon. Other schools that have offered Duzey are Wyoming, WMU, CMU, Buffalo, Bowling Green and Toledo.      

For those of you that haven't had the pleasure of watching Duzey play for the Red Hawks, think former NFL Pro-Bowler, Ed McCaffrey of those old John Elway-led Broncos squads of the late-1990s. He's long, lean and a solid blocker with soft hands. Most importantly, like McCaffery back in the day, he's not afraid to go across the middle and snare a tough ball in traffic with the knowledge that a killer hit is going to be coming in the process.

Duzey's athletic talents don't end on the football field either. During the winter months, he gears up for the gridiron by banging bodies on the hardwood for the Athens' hoops squad. Starting at power forward last season, Duzey was one of the top post players in the county, averaging 17 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Even though he hasn't played varsity baseball in quite a while, back when he was a sophomore he smashed six home runs in only 12 games of action. Two of those dingers, including his first career varsity tater, were of the grand slam variety.

Here's hoping that Big Jake and the boyz over on John R Road in the red and white sock it to 'em on the football field this autumn and make this season one to remember for RED HAWKS NATION!