Duke opens the season Sept. 3 at Tulane—a Thursday night game to help kick off the college football slate. The primetime slot is the Blue Devils' second Thursday night game in as many years, a new trend for a program that had endured many long seasons prior to its current string of three consecutive bowl trips.
Another growing trend: a slew of Duke players continue to be named to national award watch lists and preseason All-ACC teams.
Eight Blue Devils were bestowed preseason recognition as the team prepares for fall camp with their season opener a month away. The 9:30 p.m. kickoff against the Green Wave will be the first opportunity for many of them to begin their campaigns for consideration.
Among watch lists for defensive players, it's hard to find one that does not include redshirt senior safety Jeremy Cash. The former Ohio State transfer picked up preseason All-ACC honors, along with a first-team All-America selection by Phil Steele and second-team nods from Sporting News, Lindy's Sports and Athlon Sports.
A year after posting 111 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions, Cash was named to watch lists for the Walter Camp Award Watch List—presented to the nation's best player—the Nagurski Award, the Bednarik Award—honors for the nation's best defensive player—and the Jim Thorpe Award—for the sport's top defensive back. Cash was also named a Sporting News Preseason All-ACC selection and to Athlon Sports' first team All-ACC.
Redshirt senior center Matt Skura joined Cash on the preseason All-ACC team and also picked up conference honors from Sporting News, Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Skura found himself on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy—presented to the nation's top center—the Outland Trophy—honoring the sport's best interior lineman—and the Lombardi Award for the nation's top down lineman. The Columbus, Ohio, native will be tasked with opening up holes for Duke's deep backfield and anchoring an offensive line now without Laken Tomlinson and Takoby Cofield.
One of the beneficiaries of Skura's blocking up front, senior running back Shaquille Powell, was named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's best running back.
Although Duke will be without the playmaking abilities of Jamison Crowder, redshirt junior DeVon Edwards picked up several preseason accolades on account of his own explosiveness. Edwards took home first team preseason All-ACC honors from Phil Steele as a kick returner and was named to Steele's second team as a defensive back. The Covington, Ga., native joined Cash on the Walter Camp Award watch list and was also named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, presented to the nation's most versatile player. Edwards enters the season with three career kickoff returns for touchdowns and was also selected by Athlon Sports as a second-team All-ACC kick returner and third-team All-ACC safety.
Duke's kicking game was also well-represented, with redshirt senior punter Will Monday and senior kicker Ross Martin both being named second-team All-ACC.
Two Blue Devils who missed last season's 9-4 campaign due to ACL injuries also found themselves on watch lists. Redshirt senior tight end Braxton Deaver will return as a key target for new quarterback Thomas Sirk and was named to the Mackey Award watch list for the nation's best tight end, as well as a third team Athlon Sports preseason All-ACC selection.
Redshirt senior linebacker Kelby Brown was also scheduled to make his return to the field this fall, but suffered another ACL tear in June that ended his career. Prior to his injury, Brown had been selected as a Bednarik Award watch list, a second team All-American and second team All-ACC choice by Phil Steele, and a preseason All-ACC first team choice by Sporting News and third team selection by Athlon Sports.
Although his football career has come to an end, Brown was also named to the watch list for the Wuerffel Award, which honors a student-athlete who combines community service with athletic and academic performance, as well as the AFCA Good Works Team.
Keep up with the Blue Zone for updates from fall camp as Duke readies for its season opener against the Green Wave next month.
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