After five consistent years as one of Duke's top wide receivers, Jalon Calhoun is taking the next step in his football career. He officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft Saturday via his Instagram.
"My time at Duke has been nothing but great and I will cherish the great people and moments I had here," Calhoun wrote. "With all that being said I am declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft."
The redshirt senior has been a staple at the receiver position for the Blue Devils, becoming the fourth player in program history to record 3,000 career receiving yards in Duke's victory against Pittsburgh Nov. 25.
After playing quarterback at Southside High School in Greenville, S.C., he transitioned positions seamlessly, becoming an honorable mention Freshman All-American by Pro Football Focus in a very successful 2019 season in which he led the team in receiving yards. Calhoun consistently improved and filled the stat sheet, including a breakout 2022 campaign which saw the 5-foot-11 receiver record a team-high 62 receptions and 873 yards, leading to a third-team All-ACC selection.
Coming into his final season, Calhoun was selected by the media for the Preseason All-ACC Team. Even with a slight dip in production, he finished strong, catching touchdowns in the Blue Devils' final two regular-season contests. He was also Duke's primary punt returner during the past two seasons, accumulating a total of 258 return yards for his career.
Throughout his time with the Blue Devils, Calhoun has been praised by the coaching staff for his elite work ethic and route-running ability, both of which will translate well at the next level. Calhoun will now await his new destination in the 2024 NFL Draft, taking place in Detroit April 25-27.
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Ranjan Jindal is a Trinity sophomore and sports editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.