Coveted 2024 OL Bradley Smith finds his home at Duke

Duke pushed the hardest for Newnan (Ga.) Woodward Academy Bradley Smith. The No. 530 overall prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus felt like committing to Duke was the right thing to do.

Smith made his decision public on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Devils put on the full-court press for Smith. He built a strong relationship with the Duke coaching staff.

“Every week they sent me letters, calling me,” Smith told On3. “

Smith has been in heavy contact with Duke’s staff for months. Last weekend’s visit to Durham was the tipping point for Smith.

“The second time I visited over the summer, I thought ‘man I love it here,” Smith said. “Every time I came back for gamedays in the fall they would treat me better. Then last week was like the cherry on top and I decided to do it then.”

Bradley Smith is intrigued by Duke’s football future

Duke head coach Mike Elko led the Blue Devils to a 9-4 record in 2022. Elko was named the ACC’s coach of the year at the end of the season.

Smith was taking note of the early success taking place in Durham under Elko. Duke’s academics were big for Smith. He has his eyes on the trajectory of the program.

“He turned them from 3-9 to 9-4 and they were a field goal away from playing in the ACC Championship Game,” Smith said. “A good academic school that’s also playing at a high level really is something that caught my eye.”

Duke’s basketball program has always gotten headlines. Smith can feel the shift turning toward the football program. Smith feels the football future is bright in Durham.

“Right before they hired coach Elko, the athletic director is really putting a lot more money into football,” Smith said. “All the facilities are being upgraded. They’re really trying to get into being an everything school and not just a basketball school. With how good they were last year, the good 2023 class and hopefully we can get things rolling in the class of 2024. I think Duke is going to be a lot better than people are expecting.”