Kenny Anunike had completed his undergraduate studies at Duke just weeks before the Blue Devils' gut-wrenching loss in the 2012 Belk Bowl. But with a degree in biological anthropology and anatomy already in hand, the then-fifth-year senior was missing a key part of his college experience—the opportunity to be a part of the Blue Devils' first bowl victory since 1961.
Originally recruited as a tight end, Anunike made the switch to defensive end after his redshirt freshman season. He also lost multiple seasons to knee injuries and watched as the Blue Devils grew from an ACC bottom feeder to a bowl team in 2012.
So when Anunike was offered a sixth year of eligibility in March, there was no hesitation—he had unfinished business.
"We went 6-6. That's not great, but for Duke in its past, that's a pretty big stepping stone," Anunike said. "So we're going to use that and continue to grow. This year we're planning on having an even better season, getting to another bowl game and having a winning record."
Returning as a starter for the third consecutive season, Anunike anchors an experienced Duke defensive line, which also features one fourth-year and two fifth-year players. After struggling to stop the run in 2012, the Blue Devils' defensive line was on a mission in the team's season-opening victory against N.C. Central, holding the Eagles to just 2.8 yards per carry en route to Duke's first shutout since 1989.
Anunike recorded two tackles and his first sack of the season in the contest.
After undergoing ankle surgery last spring, one of the keys for Anunike's final collegiate season will be to stay healthy. The defensive end started 11 games for the Blue Devils in 2012, but has yet to make it through an entire season without missing a game since 2010.
"What I do every day is pray for Kenny's health," head coach David Cutcliffe said. "I hope Kenny gets a whole season of feeling good, and he certainly deserves that."
Returning for a sixth season, Anunike is now the last remaining member of Cutcliffe's original recruiting class at Duke. Now watching his former classmates in the working world or pursuing NFL careers, Anunike jokingly calls himself "the last of a dying breed."
Anunike's victory lap is also accompanied by occasional ribbing from teammates, who jokingly tell the Galena, Ohio native that Duke couldn't get him to leave.
"Every day somebody's got a new joke," Anunike said. "They ask me if I'm tenured yet, they say I was here before coach [Cutcliffe] got here or that I helped build the Yoh [Football Center] or something."
Contrary to his teammates' jokes, Anunike is not actually the oldest player in the FBS this season. In fact, he's not even the oldest player on the Blue Devils.
One of Anunike's fellow starters on Duke's defense, cornerback Garett Patterson, is slated to turn 24 in December, just days before the Blue Devils hope to play in a second consecutive bowl game for the first time in program history.
Ironically, Anunike is actually younger than most of his former classmates, and just turned 23 in May.
In addition to taking some jokes from his teammates, Anunike isn't afraid to dish them out either. One of the most effusive personalities on Duke's team, the 6-foot-5 defensive end epitomizes the gentle giant with a smile that can light up a room.
"It's hard to explain Kenny—he's just Kenny," cornerback Ross Cockrell said. "He's goofy, he's funny, he has a great smile and I think it affects the whole team. When he's going and moving at a high rate of speed I think our whole defense is going to go."
Before returning to Duke this year to pursue a master's degree in liberal studies, Anunike took some time to give back to the University where he has now spent his last six years. Anunike was a part of the cast of prominent campus figures that toured the country to fundraise for the Duke Forward campaign at gala events and served as ambassadors for the University.
"I'm so thankful that I got the opportunity to truly be an ambassador for Duke," Anunike said. "That says a lot about your character. That says a lot about what I've done here at this university. To be one of the many faces of Duke is awesome—that comes with great responsibility."
As Anunike continues with his second final season of his collegiate career, his focus also shifts to mentoring what could be the most talented recruiting class of Cutcliffe's tenure at Duke. Six years on the field has given one of the Blue Devils' elder statesmen more than a few stories to tell, and some wisdom to go with them.
"Don't take anything for granted," Anunike said. "You never know what play could be your last, so go out there and play hard every single down. You have no reason not to."
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