This offseason, the Blue Devils are finally getting the respect they deserve.
Duke landed three players—safety Jeremy Cash, center Matt Skura and all-purpose returner DeVon Edwards—on ESPN’s preseason All-ACC team. Cash also earned a spot on ESPN’s preseason All-America team, adding to his already impressive collection of preseason honors.
Jeremy Cash makes it six preseason All-America and All-ACC teams with today's ESPN picks. #GoDuke pic.twitter.com/SbZDbR1ifZ
— Duke Football (@Duke_FB) August 24, 2015
The Blue Devils three selections were the third most in the ACC behind Florida State and Virginia Tech, which both had four players chosen. Duke and the defending conference champion Seminoles were the only two squads to have an offensive, defensive and special teams preseason pick by ESPN.
Although the Blue Devils did not crack the AP Top 25 poll released Sunday, the squad’s selections on ESPN’s preseason All-ACC team seem to be no-brainers.
Cash—who will start at the Strike safety position this season—has been touted as one of the best in the country at his position and a potential first-round draft pick. The Miami native recorded two interceptions and four forced fumbles a season ago along with 10.5 tackles for loss. The redshirt senior has been named to several preseason awards list already—including the Thorpe Award Watch List and the Walter Camp Award Watch List earlier this summer.
Skura is coming off a season in which he spearheaded an offensive line that was one of the best in the country and led the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed. The Columbus, Ohio native, has started 27 consecutive games heading into this season and was selected to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi award and Outland award earlier this summer.
Edwards has proven to be the jack-of-all-trades during his time in Durham as he has excelled at the safety position while also posing a lethal return threat on special teams. The Covington, Ga. native, shares the ACC and NCAA record for longest kickoff return and holds the Duke single-season record for kickoff return average.
The Blue Devils kick off their season on the road Sept. 3 against Tulane.
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