AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 17 > Entry

Holy Innocents’ TE, school’s 1st Division-I signee, commits to Duke

Jack Farrell, a tight end who almost quit football after his high school freshman season, has committed to Duke and is set to become the first Division 1 signee from Holy Innocents’ of Atlanta.

Farrell also was recruited by Vanderbilt, Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia, SMU and Northwestern and had an offer from Army.

“I knew all along I wanted to go to really good academic school,” Farrell said. “I don’t see myself playing above college in the pros, so I wanted to get the degree. It’s the ACC, so I get good football and a good education.”

Farrell, 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds with 4.6 speed in the 40, had 24 receptions for 324 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also had 27 tackles at defensive end but expects to play tight end in college.

He also might get a shot at punter, he said. Farrell had a 41-yard average as a junior.

Farrell is a first baseman on the baseball team who led the team in batting last season and started on Holy Innocents’ Class AA champions in 2007.

“I thought baseball was what I wanted to do,” he said, explaining why he considered quitting football before his sophomore year. “That summer, I put on 30-35 pounds [up to 200] and grew a couple of inches. I became a football player, I guess.

“I put my head down my sophomore year and knew that this [playing Division 1 football] was what I wanted to do and would do whatever it took to do it.”

Holy Innocents’ played its first varsity schedule in 2006, finishing 4-6, and won a round in the state playoffs last season in a 7-5 finish.

Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools

Comments

By CarolinaJacket

June 17, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

A nice signee for Duke. I expect to see their football program improve in the next few years.

By ChrisN

June 17, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

He committed to Duke? I thought he said he wanted to play Division 1 football…

By Jeff

June 17, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

Cutcliffe will have Duke winning a couple of games in a few years. He did the same at Ole Miss before those fools ran him off. Congrats Duke!

By Bulldawg Mike

June 17, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

A Great kid from a Great family and a Great high school = a Great catch for Duke! Congrats Jack & Duke!

By justwondering?

June 17, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

Just wondering why noone has mentioned Ryan Wooley? Could it be because he is a UGA baseball player. Maybe the GT people have to much class to bring this up!!!!!

By Aunt Ruthie

June 17, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Man, how did Duke get so lucky?! Guess they’re the only ones smiling in the SEC.

By Uncle Johnny

June 17, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

I’m very proud of my nephew. I knew he could do whatever he wanted to do.

By Rick Dawg

June 18, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Too bad you did not go to UGA Jack! We have put out some great tight ends over the past several years…McMichael, etc. Coach C is lucky to have a player with such drive. I got a chance to see your hightlight tape and was quite impressed. I know there are a lot of people that are really proud of your accomplishments - keep up the good work and Congratualtions.

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