A new defensive coordinator for the Blue Devils and the removal of divisions from the ACC characterize just some of the changes impacting Duke in 2023. Another is a shift in locker-room leadership.
Ahead of the Blue & White Game later Friday evening, head coach Mike Elko announced his four 2023 team captains Friday afternoon, voted upon by the players. The quartet includes returning captains DeWayne Carter and Jacob Monk alongside first-timers Riley Leonard and Ja'Mion Franklin.
Carter, a soon-to-be redshirt senior defensive tackle, becomes Duke's first-ever three-year captain after previously being named one in 2021 and 2022. Monk, an offensive tackle, who announced his return to Durham for a graduate season, will reprise his role in team leadership after a successful 2022 season which saw the Blue Devils rack up nine wins and add a piece of Military Bowl silverware to the cupboard.
Leonard, Duke's promising man under center, earned MVP honors in the Blue Devils' Military Bowl triumph against UCF in December 2022 and put up a monster sophomore campaign, including 33 total touchdowns and just six interceptions on 3,666 total yards. And Franklin, working alongside Carter on the defensive line, helped the Blue Devils to a top-five defense in the ACC that allowed just 22.1 points per game.
Following Friday night's intrasquad Blue-White scrimmage, Duke takes the field for the first time in 2023 at home against Clemson on Labor Day.
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Andrew Long is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 119th volume.