Quick Hits: David Cutcliffe discusses Spring Showcase

Duke head coach David Cutcliffe spoke with reporters Saturday morning at the conclusion of the Blue Devils’ Spring Showcase at Wallace Wade Stadium. Although Duke did not have a typical spring game this year, Cutcliffe discussed the outlook for his squad after Saturday's showcase that marked the end of spring practice.

With the departure of ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jeremy Cash, the Blue Devils have been searching for a proper replacement in the defensive backfield. After the Spring Showcase Saturday, Brandon Feamster may be just that player. Following his redshirt season last fall, the redshirt freshman will compete for crucial playing time in the starting lineup to help "the Cheetahs" replace the heart and soul of the defense in Cash.

Feamster is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound safety out of Exton, Pa., who recorded 31 tackles and three interceptions in his 2014 high-school campaign, and after his work on the field Saturday, he has caught his head coach’s eye moving into summer work.

“Brandon Feamster is one of those redshirt freshmen that is a big, fast, strong, powerful guy, and he is learning, still, the position. He’s playing basically where Jeremy Cash played, so you have a lot to learn and a lot of things to do, but he certainly has shown us he’s going to be on the field and he’s going to find places to make plays. He’s a big guy that can really, really run.”

Another redshirt freshman, Keyston Fuller, has also made strides in the offseason for Duke. The wideout was named one of the two most improved offensive players—alongside redshirt junior center Austin Davis—prior to the scrimmage portion of the showcase for his outstanding performance during the spring period.

Although the Blue Devils have a litany of talent at the wide receiver position heading into the summer and looking ahead to the fall, Fuller is poised to fight for a starting position and significant playing time this season. With the graduation of Max McCaffrey on the edge and big possession targets at tight end in Braxton Deaver and David Reeves, expect to see Fuller make further strides throughout the summer to give Cutcliffe the consistency he is looking for at the wide receiver position.

“Keyston [Fuller], just a complete game as a receiver, blocking, route running, assignments, his ability to go down the field. He didn’t get any of those opportunities today. Unfortunately for him, he missed a couple opportunities today to make catches that I thought he could have or should have made, but he’s just a guy with a great skill level. He’s just going to continue. The sky’s the limit. It really is.”

After graduating one of the most decorated classes in program history, Duke will be a much younger team when it takes Brooks Field for the first time in 2016 Sept. 3 against crosstown rival N.C. Central. But despite any concerns about inexperience or a lack of incoming talent next season, Cutcliffe is confident that he has just the team to do the job. With nearly half of the players on his roster entering their first years of eligibility, the Blue Devil head coach is poised to make strides with a new and talented group.

“I’m pleased [with our team]. I looked at our roster this morning. This team coming into this year, counting our redshirt freshmen and our true scholarship freshmen will make up 41 percent of our squad…. That’s a unique number for us, but I think it’s a good thing for us.”

Cutcliffe announced in his press conference Thursday that running back Zach Boden—who transferred from Harvard and sat out the 2014 season—will be on scholarship for his final season in Durham. The redshirt senior made the most of his new status on the team Saturday by punching in two touchdowns for Duke. The first was a five-yard run into paydirt, and the second was an eight-yard reception from quarterback Quentin Harris.

“Zach [Boden] has earned himself a scholarship opportunity and he’s played great on special teams. He’s going to be a situational player on offense, but [I'm] very, very happy he’s on our squad.”

After moving to the cornerback position from safety at the end of last season, redshirt senior DeVon Edwards is looking to continue to make strides filling his new role for the Blue Devils. Edwards registered a fumble recovery on the goal line Saturday that prevented the offense from scoring, but did give up a touchdown on a blown assignment against wide receiver Chris Taylor that went eight yards.

But despite the touchdown, Cutcliffe described Edwards’ spring progress as ongoing, especially as he gets more and more playing time at the position this summer.

“[DeVon Edwards is] getting all those needed reps. He can play safety, no question, but you don’t just walk out there and play corner without getting reps. I think it’s really made a difference for him. He’s had a good spring as well.”

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