Blue Devil Country

Early Duke Football Offer Holder Exhibits Obvious Basketball Prowess

Perhaps the Duke basketball staff will eventually make Elijah Tillman a dual-sport Blue Devil target.
Matt Giles|
Duke football head coach Manny Diaz attending a Duke basketball home game
Duke football head coach Manny Diaz attending a Duke basketball home game | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

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While it's probably way too early to expect any 2028 recruits to report an offer from Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his crew, Duke football recruiting efforts are well underway. And the offer recipients include a surging dual-sport standout in Grayson High School (Ga.) rising sophomore Elijah Tillman.

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As an edge rusher doubling as a tight end on the football field, Tillman has already racked up over a dozen offers. Along with Duke head coach Manny Diaz and his cohorts, who became one of the first to enter his recruitment before hosting him in October, the beyond-his-years athlete's suitors include the likes of Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Southern Cal, Miami, and the Blue Devils' archrival, UNC.

Now, given his basketball performances of late as a power forward, highlighted by his effectiveness as an absolute rebounding machine, one must wonder if some schools will begin viewing him as a potential two-sport collegian.

At the On The Radar Hoops Summer Jam in Atlanta last weekend, 247Sports' Brandon Jenkins named Tillman among the showcase event's top standouts, providing the following summary of the 6-foot-7 bruiser's physical dominance and competitive flair on the hardwood:

"A high-major recruit on the gridiron, Elijah Tillman was the hardest-playing prospect in the gym...Tillman rebounded, blocked, dunked everything possible. He has big hands and plays with a lot of physical force on both ends of the floor."

ALSO READ: Priority Blue Devil Target Now Dominating in Grassroots Action

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball and football 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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