Ashbrook linebacker commits to Duke

GASTONIA — Zeek Bigger has always been a Duke fan. A trip to camp this summer did nothing to change his loyalties.

The Ashbrook rising senior has given the Blue Devils his commitment to play football there beginning in the fall of 2011.

“I went up there and the environment just hit me,” Bigger said. “It felt like it was home.”

Bigger said he received offers from five other schools: Arkansas, East Carolina, Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound linebacker can’t sign a national letter of intent until Feb. 3. Bigger made his commitment July 3, a couple of weeks after attending a one-day camp at the ACC school in Durham.

“The program is really taking another step up,” Bigger said. “Coach (David) Cutliffe has been bringing in some good recruits.”

Bigger expects to play inside or outside linebacker for the Blue Devils, who finished fifth in the ACC’s Coastal Division last fall and went 5-7 overall.

Bigger becomes the second Gaston County football player to commit to Duke this month, joining South Point lineman Carson Ginn.

Bigger’s recruiting stock rose dramatically in the past year. He received an offer from East Carolina early last fall, then went on to a spectacular junior season at Ashbrook, recording 101 tackles, five tackle for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

After transferring from Forestview prior to last season, Bigger said he benefitted from the recruiting attention paid to Ashbrook teammate Norkeithus Otis and from the connections college coaches made with Ashbrook during the recruitment of wide receiver Jheranie Boyd, who eventually signed with North Carolina in 2009.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.