Senior linebacker David Helton has never been a flashy player. It’s not his style. And seven games into the season at a new position, he’s shown that flashiness is overrated.
When the Blue Devils lost All-ACC linebacker Kelby Brown to an ACL tear Aug. 12, many thought the expected drop in production from their defense’s mike linebacker position would end their chance to repeat as Coastal Division champions. Brown was the focal point of the defense, one that still allowed 418.0 yards and 26.6 points per game last season. Without him as the Mike linebacker, Duke did not stand a chance of slowing down conference opponents. Or at least that’s what everyone thought before Helton took over.
“David has been one of the best stories of our season,” Cutcliffe said. “Leading tackler in the conference, where he played a year ago at Will, an unfortunate injury to one of his best friends, fellow senior linebacker. He moved in there. I think it was role-changing for David.”
Helton quietly—if it is possible to do so quietly—led the ACC in tackles in 2013, his first year as a full-time starter, making him the first Duke player since Michael Tauiliili in 2008 to do so. And as Brown and safety Jeremy Cash scooped up all the postseason awards, Helton kept preparing for what he hoped to be a memorable senior season.
He gained 15 pounds in the offseason and worked on his explosiveness in order to better shed linemen hitting the second level, which he says has paid dividends this year. The weight-gain and the added speed was all part of the work ethic that had defined him as a linebacker at Baylor High School—he led the team to the state championship behind a 121-tackle effort in his senior season. And to be starting on a now-successful Duke squad was more than he dreamed of back in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“To be very honest, when I was in high school, I was thinking I had exceeded the expectations of myself,” Helton said. “In high school, I even thought I would play D1-AA, at certain points sophomore year, junior year.”
Four years removed from thinking he would barely have a shot at making a Division I program’s roster, here was Helton playing for the defending Coastal Division champions. But his journey was far from over, as he would find out Aug. 12, when it was announced Brown’s season was finished before it began.
When Brown went down with the injury, there was no sense of panic for the Blue Devil coaching staff, according to assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jim Collins. With Helton on-hand and healthy, Duke had a viable candidate to fill in for Brown. But nobody could have anticipated the success and ease with which he would handle the transition, something Helton attributes to the community around him.
“There’s a series of people that have been able to make it really easy,” Helton said. “Obviously, Kelby has helped a lot, Coach Collins and a lot of the other players [helped] just trusting and believing I could make that switch very seamlessly. I remember when [Brown was injured], a lot of guys were ready for me to step over and play that position. I felt that from the whole community of Duke football.”
Making the move from Will to Mike linebacker in the Blue Devil defense requires much more than stepping to the side three-to-four yards and adjusting to a different set of offensive players. The Mike functions as the quarterback of the defense, making the calls for the linemen and secondary prior to the snap. For Helton—who was not known as an overly vocal on-field player—this meant stepping up and using his voice as another weapon.
“He took on a new role. He did become a communicator,” Cutcliffe said. “He’s kind of the man in the middle. So his communication to the defensive front, the secondary, all of that changed. His leadership role changed. I think he has thrived in it. I think it’s been incredible to watch and I’m extremely proud of him.”
Through seven games, he ranks third in the ACC in solo tackles with 26 and ranks second in total tackles with 69. But the tackles were expected—that’s what Helton does. What was not expected is how well the defense would adapt around him.
Duke is 6-1 and atop the ACC, and unlike last year, it has its defense to thank. The squad currently ranks fifth in the nation in points allowed, as it has held opponents to just 15.1 points per game.
This has been possible thanks to the Blue Devils’ ability to lock down opponents in the red zone, where they have held opponents to field goals on 40.1 percent of red zone trips. In last week’s Homecoming victory against Virginia, Duke allowed 465 total yards of offense, but held the Cavaliers to 13 points. These numbers are not an anomaly, as it has allowed an average of 398.0 yards per game.
“We play really well when the ball gets into the strike zone, which is around the 40 to the 25 [yard line], and we play pretty well in the redzone,” Collins said. “Our redzone percentage right now is not great because we give up some field goals, but we don’t give up a whole lot of touchdowns in the redzone...If you go check the number of field goals versus the number of touchdowns, we’re pretty damn good.”
As the Blue Devils turn their attention to the final five games on their slate, they will first set their eyes on a Nov. 1 contest at Pittsburgh. As many remember—including Helton and the defense—the Panthers amassed 598 yards and 55 points on Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium last September. When Helton and Co. hit the road next weekend, there is no doubt they will have something to prove at Pittsburgh.
“What David needs to do is continue to stay healthy, good Lord willing, get more and more comfortable down the stretch here,” Cutcliffe said. “We’re going to need him to be at his best [and] I think he will be.”
When Helton steps onto Heinz Field Nov. 1, it may not be the last time he has the opportunity to play on an NFL field. Aside from the goal of playing in Bank of America Stadium again for the ACC Championship game, Helton now carries with him the dream of suiting up as a professional.
If he is able to stay healthy and continue to produce at the same rate, the high school player who thought he would not suit up for a Division I team could find himself playing on Sundays when next fall rolls around.
“At Duke, I wanted to be a really good college football player,” Helton said. “I don’t know if I’ll make it to the next level or not. But I think I’m a product of this system, of this team [and] of Coach Cut being able to bring out the best in everyone, even when you weren’t sure if you expected it.... They honestly helped me the most to be in this position.”
Whether or not that becomes a reality is hard to say, as the NFL is all about finding the right opportunity. For now, Helton will just do what he does better than anyone else—keep his head down, work hard and wrap up.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.