There is an ancient Chinese saying that reads: “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

Quite honestly, for the Duke University football program, a return to the top of the ACC seems even farther away than that.

But, the news of a commitment from Durham Hillside’s Desmond Scott, a four-star running back and one of the top five high school players in the state of North Carolina, means they are taking those steps -- and quickly.

4.4-second 40-yard dash quickly, to be exact.

It’s nearly impossible to tell how a player’s “star” rating will translate onto the collegiate gridiron, but for head coach David Cutcliffe and his rebuilding Duke Football team, Scott’s arrival in Durham represents, if absolutely nothing else, a symbolic boost to the school’s reputation.

Junior defensive tackle Vince Oghobasse arrived on campus with nearly the same Rivals.com rating, 5.8 to the running back’s 5.9, and acclaim, and clearly the effect on the school’s record hasn’t been as drastic as some fans would have hoped.

But Scott’s true value may be felt more on the highways of North Carolina than the grass of Wallace Wade.

Sure, he will elicit a few “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd, especially the first time he breaks a cornerback’s ankle when he’s left one on one in the flat on a third and short.

Moreover, there’s no doubt his presence as a dual-threat back plays right into Cutcliffe’s high-percentage passing offense, and that his ability to keep linebackers honest in play-action will allow Thad Lewis some more time to breathe in the pocket.

More importantly to Duke, however, is that the 5-foot-9, 185-pound speedster has signaled to the rest of the athletes in the Tar Heel State that there is a third ACC school to play for in the Triangle area.

While Butch Davis and Tom O’Brien had been picking off local recruits like low-hanging fruit, Duke was having trouble locking down the athletes that were practically playing in their own backyard.

This year has been different for the Devils.

Cutcliffe and his staff have already secured commitments from four North Carolinians, including Scott and the man that hands him the ball for his high school team, Corey Gattis.

Desmond Scott has yet to suit up for Duke, and won’t in an official game for at least another 365 days.

But, the four stars to the left of his name on the scouting boards, along with the hometown listing to the right, have already done more for the program than any 100-yard rushing game ever could.

Of course, the Duke faithful wouldn’t mind a few of those 100-yard games as well…