South Point standout commits to Duke football team

BELMONT – When Carson Ginn reached 200 pounds to go with his 6-foot-2 frame as a high school sophomore, South Point High football coaches told Ginn he could expect to get the opportunity to play college football.

When that chance came, Ginn jumped at it as last week he committed to sign a football scholarship with Duke University.

“Their academic prowess is amazing,” Ginn said. “They’re top 10 if not top five every year in the rankings, so I thought it was a great opportunity for me and my future.”

Ginn chose the Blue Devils after receiving interest from North Carolina, Wake Forest, South Carolina and Wofford. Ginn had already attended football camps at North Carolina, Wake Forest and Duke. But after committing to Duke, he cancelled camp visits to South Carolina and Wofford.

Duke coaches made Ginn a scholarship offer June 28 – or two days after Ginn had attended the Blue Devils’ football camp. Ginn said he informed Duke coaches he would be signing with their program in February 2011 on June 29.

A defensive lineman at South Point, the Blue Devils have recruited the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Ginn as an offensive tackle.

“I actually thought that might happen because my speed (5.2-seconds in the 40-yard dash) is slow for a defensive lineman,” Ginn said. “But coaches have told me my speed and agility are perfect for offensive line.”

Ginn gained more and more attention from college recruiters last season as he helped South Point to a 14-2 record and the N.C. Class 3AA state championship.

Now committed to signing a college scholarship, Ginn says his goal will be for South Point to repeat as a state champion.

“It’s good to not have to worry about that anymore,” Ginn said of his college future. “I want to play as hard as I can to help my teammates and help my team.

“There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll have the talent. We lost some good people but we’ve got some good people coming in.”