On the very first day of practice, the football team took a big hit.
Senior cornerback Lamar Grant, who has started 27 consecutive games, was suspended indefinitely from game action after violating an undisclosed team rule. Coach Carl Franks announced the suspension Aug. 19 but would not say specifically what Grant did.
"This is certainly a difficult situation that we'll have to work out as far as playing time goes," Franks said. "I'm counting on the younger guys to seize this opportunity and also trust that Lamar will ultimately benefit from this experience."
Grant earned his first career start midway through 1996 and has not missed a start since, accumulating 20 pass break-ups in his three years with the Blue Devils. Duke's sports information department confirmed that Grant will not play in the Sept. 11 season opener against East Carolina, but the length of the suspension remains undetermined. In the meantime, Grant continues to work out and practice with the team.
"I'm certainly going to dedicate my time on the practice
With Grant's suspension, sophomore Quentin Holley moves into the top position on the depth chart. The 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore has seen action in seven games, with most of his playing time coming on special teams. Despite his limited experience, Holley believes he'll be ready for the expanded role.
"I welcome the challenge," he said. "It's up to the coaches when we play, who plays and who starts, but you try to prepare yourself as if you're going to take every rep in the game and I think that's the right mindset. Coach is always on us, you never know, everyone's just an injury away from being a starter, so we try and go with that attitude every day."
But in the case of Holley, it wasn't an injury that gave him the starting job, it was a disciplinary action. And certainly the benching of a three-year starter sent a loud message to the entire team.
"Coach
Although Holley may be a stranger to the average football fan, his name should ring a bell to most. His older brother Kenan played defensive back at Duke until graduating this past year. The elder Holley picked off three passes and broke up five last year and has shared some wisdom with Quentin this preseason.
"He's just told me that whatever I do, just keep getting yourself ready mentally and physically as much as possible," Quentin said. "The mindset is that you never know what's going to happen so just prepare yourself for everything."
The suspension leaves Duke with very little depth in the defensive backfield. Starting safeties Darius Clark and Eric Jones started 19 games combined last season, but the Blue Devils will now start two sophomores at corner. To make matters worse, the only other two cornerbacks on the depth chart are both freshmen.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.