Mr. Duke is off to Buffalo.
The three-time captain for the Blue Devils became the 95th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft Friday evening. Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter was the second Duke player to go in this year’s draft, after offensive lineman Graham Barton was selected 26th Thursday night. He is also the first Blue Devil to be selected in the second or third round this century. The last time a Duke player went in the third round was quarterback Anthony Dilweg in 1989.
Carter spent a very productive five years in Durham, anchoring a defensive unit that became one of the ACC’s best over the last two years under former head coach Mike Elko. The Pickerington, Ohio, native was also a four time All-ACC selection, garnering first-team honors the last two seasons. Furthermore, the defensive tackle was a standout off the field, as he was named a NFF National Scholar-Athlete while also winning the ACC’s Jim Tatum Award in 2023, which is given to the league’s top student-athlete.
After a strong collegiate career and an impressive showing at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, Carter had another opportunity to prove his athletic ability at the NFL combine, and the former Blue Devil shone in Indianapolis. Carter posted a solid 7.67 relative athletic score, including a speedy 4.99 second in the 40-yard dash.
As a third-round pick, the former captain will receive a four-year contract with the Bills to begin his professional career as he looks to compete for a starting job in training camp.
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