Last season it was Conner Vernon. Two years ago it was Johnny Williams and Jay Hollingsworth. During his first two seasons, head coach David Cutcliffe has been able to evoke solid production from talented freshmen. This year, Duke’s rookie class boasts several candidates for impact seasons.
As of late, newcomers have been particularly effective in the receiver spots. In 2009, freshman Vernon burst onto the scene to the tune of 746 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, earning first team freshman All-ACC honors by Sporting News. This year, Vernon, alongside Austin Kelly and Donovan Varner, have a few freshmen waiting in the wings for their shot on the field—even if it comes at Vernon’s expense.
“They’re making plays, we know our job is not safe,” Vernon said. “We may have a deeper rotation than last year.”
Redshirt freshmen Corey Gattis and Tyree Watkins and true freshman Brandon Braxton all possess the talent to get reps this season. Watkins even led the team in receiving during the spring scrimmages.
At the quarterback position, a contender for playing time may have some Duke fans remembering former scrambling quarterback Zack Asack, although Duke’s coaches feel this iteration possesses a better arm. True freshman Brandon Connette will get the opportunity as early as the Elon game to make plays with his feet.
“We are going to play Brandon [Connette],” Cutcliffe said. “He has some skills that he brings to the table that allows us to use him in certain situations.”
Connette showed flashes of his athleticism during the spring scrimmage when he rushed for 91 yards, gaining seven yards per carry and accounting for two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. The coaches have been impressed with Connette’s rushing ability, and he could see time in short yardage situations.
“He can do a lot of different things, especially throw the ball,” starting quarterback Sean Renfree said. “He is an explosive athlete who can make plays.”
Duke’s passing game last year was not helped up by Duke’s rushing attack, ranked 120th in the FBS in yards per game. It returns junior Jay Hollingsworth and sophomore Desmond Scott, who both led the team in rushing yards during their respective freshman seasons. They will be spelled by talented freshman backs Joshua Snead and Juwan Thompson.
Snead boasts good speed and ran a 4.40 40-yard dash this spring, the fastest of any running back on the team. He also turned heads this week when he broke a long run in a scrimmage. Cutcliffe indicated that both Snead and Thompson will be active and will see game action early.
Much of the success of the running game will be determined by the offensive line, which as a unit returns four of five starters, losing only Jarrod Holt. Redshirt freshman Perry Simmons is slated to take his place. Simmons has good size, and Cutcliffe said he has done a tremendous job at improving this offseason.
While the offense returns nine of 11 starters, the defense only returns six. One part of the plan to rebuild the defense is speedy redshirt freshman August Campbell, a linebacker and relative newcomer to football who ran a 4.43 40-yard dash during the spring. Joining Campbell will be redshirt freshman Kevin Rojas, who has good speed too, and who earned most improved defensive player during spring practices,
“ Campbell, Rojas, and Gamble are in the 4.5 [40 yard dash] range,” Cutcliffe said. “They are what you are looking for athletically. Now, we are looking for the consistency we need to win.”
Both players have worked to improve their physicality, one of the main goals of the defense as a whole.
“Rojas has gotten much more physical, we all are working on it,” Campbell said. “We need to be more firm in our gaps.”
With the defense moving to the 3-4, much of the success will depend on how quickly the linebackers can move sideline to sideline. Campbell and Rojas both have the speed to do so, and consistency will determine which one gets more snaps during each game.
Regardless of the system, however, the talent of Duke’s underclassmen on both sides of the ball bode well not only for 2010 but for years to come.
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