Blue Devil Country

Duke Football Recruiters Boldly Enter Fray for Son of NFL Legend

Duke football's latest target may look like a Notre Dame lean, but the Blue Devils are now known for pulling off upsets.

Matt Giles

Duke Football Recruiters Boldly Enter Fray for Son of NFL Legend
Duke Football Recruiters Boldly Enter Fray for Son of NFL Legend /
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On Friday, Woodward Academy (Ga.) junior Jerome Bettis Jr., son of 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers champ and Hall of Fame power rusher Jerome "The Bus" Bettis, revealed his offer from the Duke football program.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound budding three-star, who ranks No. 58 among wide receivers, No. 46 in Georgia, and No. 418 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite while boasting a 4.24 GPA, holds over a dozen offers. And Bettis is one of over a dozen at his position on the Blue Devils' 2025 wishlist (yet to yield any commitments).

Sure, he's nowhere near as burly as his 5-foot-11, 250-pound father. But judging by scouting reports and highlights, he has more speed, and "The Bus" genes appear to come in handy when fighting for the ball and again when bouncing off defenders after the catch.

Jerome Bettis Jr.'s recent visits to South Bend, Ind., and his longtime offer from Notre Dame, where his dad starred before going No. 10 overall at the 1993 NFL Draft, has many insiders viewing the Fighting Irish as the obvious early frontrunner in his recruitment.

But as second-year Duke football head coach Mike Elko and his now-No. 21 Blue Devils showed on Monday night by deflating then-No. 9 Clemson, 28-7, with Week 1's largest cable audience tuned in, the folks in Durham concede to no one these days.

On that note, one potentially ideal time to get Bettis on campus for a visit would be Sept. 30, when the Blue Devils host none other than Notre Dame in Wallace Wade Stadium.

RELATED: Governor Bets Against Blue Devils While Making Kentucky History

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke football recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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