Duke Football: 2024 Blue Devils Season Preview and Prediction
If Duke is to produce a third consecutive winning season, it needs Diaz to work magic with a defense that lost big-time production from last season. The offense has potential to be strong with proven skill players in the lineup. But it only works if the offensive line comes together. That’s far from a certainty given the turnover up front.
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Duke 2024 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Duke's Offense for 2024
New head coach Manny Diaz quickly landed former Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy in the transfer portal, easing the pain of Riley Leonard’s transfer to Notre Dame.
Though running back Jordan Waters transferred to NC State, the Blue Devils retain plenty of skill-position talent, including running back Jaquez Moore (674 yards, six TDs last season). At wide receiver, Jordan Moore is back after a strong junior season in which he caught 62 passes for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. Keep an eye on Old Dominion transfer Javon Harvey at wide receiver, too.
The line is a concern with some key players having departed, including all-ACC left tackle Graham Barton. Transfer tackles Zachary Franks (Northwestern) and James Pogorelc (Stanford) arrive this summer to join junior guard Justin Pickett and sophomores Brian Parker II (tackle) and Matt Craycraft (center/guard).
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Transfer QB Maalik Murphy showed promise in two starts at Texas last season.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Previewing Duke's Defense for 2024
The transfer portal and the NFL Draft took Duke’s four starting defensive linemen plus linebacker Dorian Mausi and safety Brandon Johnson. The good news: The team’s top three tacklers are back in linebacker Tre Freeman, safety Jaylen Stinson and linebacker Nick Morris Jr.
Up front, Vincent Anthony Jr., Michael Reese, Wesley Williams and Ryan Smith are effective edge rushers who need to produce more. Like those four, Aaron Hall steps into a starting role on the defensive line after strong play as a reserve. Liberty transfer Kendy Charles shows promise.
Freeman and Morris give Duke two experienced starting linebackers. In the secondary, the hard-hitting Stinson (88 tackles last season) is a proven tackler, while Chandler Rivers has quickly developed into a solid cover corner. Newcomers are filling the remaining roles.
Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2024
New coach Manny Diaz led Penn State's defense to a No. 3 rank in fewest points allowed nationally in 2023.
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Previewing Duke's Specialists for 2024
Former walk-on Todd Pelino showed a strong, if not always accurate, leg, making 18-of-23 field goals. He didn’t miss an extra point. All-ACC punter Porter Wilson is gone, so freshman Kade Reynoldson from Australia will be thrown into action. Duke needs to find explosiveness in the return game. Running backs Peyton Jones and Marquise Collins could provide it, but they are unproven.
National Ranking: 70
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