Perhaps no class of players in the history of Duke's football program has witnessed a greater rise and fall than Tawambi Settles and the upcoming year's senior class.
In 1994, Settles' freshman year, the Blue Devils stunned the nation with an 8-3 regular season and subsequent berth in the Hall of Fame Bowl. But the following year brought frustration and with last season's 0-11 mark, exasperation.
Heading into '97, Settles is anxious to return this team to the level of play he once saw it attain.
"Our freshman year, we took the bowl year for granted," Settles said. "Because we were freshmen and had been away from home for so long, we were like, 'I'd rather be home for the Christmas break.'
"That was our first year and we got to a bowl so we just thought we'd be there year after year. We took it for granted. Because we have that experience, I think it helps us focus because we want to get back to that level."
But Settles and his senior teammates don't view this season as a gradual progression back toward the upper echelon of Division I. Though many national publications view three to four wins as true progress for the program, team member feel otherwise.
The seniors, in particular, want to do more than accept losing seven times in their final season.
"Even though we went 0-11 last year, I don't think our attitude has been that we need to win two or three games," Settles said. "We're hoping to get to a bowl game. We can't just limit ourselves, and I just can't see ourselves going into the season thinking that three wins would be good and make us feel that we were successful. We have the ability to get seven or eight wins."
Settles feels the talent is already in place to make an immediate push. A lack of talent was not the problem a year ago. Last season, the Blue Devils were constantly hampered by mental mistakes made at crucial junctures of close games.
Duke was blown out in many of its games but also stayed close at times against such quality opponents as Northwestern and North Carolina. The Blue Devils were unable to compete for a full 60 minutes, though, because of key fumbles, penalties and other errors that showed their inexperience.
"We probably had, if not more, as much talent out there on the field," Settles said. "It's just youth-I hate to keep saying that and dwelling on it, but that's the truth. We had so many freshmen and sophomores on the field that, there comes a point in the game where talent isn't enough and you need experience to win the game.
"I could feel it a lot of times we were in a game, and I could feel that urgency. But if everybody's not out there feeling it, they're not going to respond to it."
This season, losses will no longer be attributed to youth and inexperience. Instead, a majority of the team will have played together for at least a full season. Additionally, many of the players have stayed in Durham over the summer, working with each other on a daily basis while conditioning for the start of practice on Aug. 15.
Not winning a single game was motivation enough to get the players into the weight room and ready to focus on physical preparation.
"It usually takes seniors to try and get everybody organized, to get everybody to participate," Settles said. "But because we went 0-11, I think everybody's dedicated in trying to do their part to get prepared. So it's not like we have to drag people in.
"The [summer workout] program isn't too different than in the past, but I think everybody's attitudes are different. Everybody's working harder and trying to make sure they do what they can to be prepared. We know we can depend on each other because so many people have been on the field together and have experience. The younger guys have learned the ins and outs so they know what it takes to win."
A large portion of Duke's success may fall on the improvement of last year's freshmen and sophomores, but the Blue Devils will still have to look to their upperclassmen for leadership.
Offensively, senior Dave Green will open practice as the first-string quarterback and, defensively, Duke returns senior leaders such as linebacker Chike Egbuniwe and Settles.
Settles, in particular, will be looked upon to lead the defensive secondary, an area where the Blue Devils struggled at times last season. Duke was forced to start a number of young players like Lamar Grant and Alonzo Moyer, and many teams were able to pick apart the unit on deep passes downfield. But, once again, the Blue Devils are hoping a season's worth of experience and lessons learned will make a difference.
"A year of experience is definitely going to help," Settles said. "Defensive back is one of the hardest positions to come in and play as a freshman because there's just so much to learn. Some of the things they were asked to do just weren't natural whereas now, with a year of experience, I believe they'll be a little more wise."
And Settles, who finished second on the team in '96 with 106 tackles, will lead the unit while also laying out a trail for himself. He practiced at both free safety and cornerback in the spring and could start at either one when Duke opens the season Sept. 6 against N.C. State. But at either position, Settles, a near-certain pick in next April's NFL draft, will help the team and his own future at the same time.
"I have a lot of experience," he said. "I'm the oldest defensive back, and one of the oldest on the defensive side of the ball. That automatically puts me in a leadership role. I just have to be willing to take it.
"But I don't feel any pressure about the future. I want to do well to help the team be successful."
And as the summer winds down and fall practice approaches, Settles is anxious to return to the field and start recording wins. Duke's last win was more than 21 months ago, and Settles hopes to not just win once, but make it a weekly habit.
"I think we're real close," Settles said. "My freshman year, when the games were tight, we knew what it took to get over the hump to win the game. Last year we couldn't get over that hump. This year, because we're going to have so much experience returning, we're going to try and take it to the next level to win games."
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