Conor Irwin, son of former UT standout, commits to Duke

By Jesse Smithey

Originally published 12:00 a.m., January 19, 2008
Updated 12:16 a.m., January 18, 2008

Catholic High School offensive/defensive lineman Conor Irwin has committed to Duke University, his father Tim confirmed Friday.

Irwin, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound senior, turned down offers from Ivy League schools Harvard, Penn, Brown and Cornell.

Tim Irwin said Tennessee recruited his son and wanted him to walk on. But Conor, who played in a wing-T offense at Catholic, jumped at the opportunity to play for Duke and its new head coach David Cutcliffe, Tennessee's former offensive coordinator.

Irwin was an offensive tackle at UT from 1978-80 and played in the NFL from 1981-94 for the Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Miami.