With several incoming transfers into Duke football, the Blue Zone is taking a look at the tape to break down what each will bring to the team. First up is defensive tackle Kendy Charles:
After the departure of former head coach Mike Elko along with a large and accomplished senior class, the Blue Devils and new head coach Manny Diaz had some work to do this offseason to rebuild the roster. One of the major holes in this regard was at defensive tackle after the graduation of star players DeWayne Carter and Ja’Mion Franklin. That said, the program has made a strong move to rebuild at the position with the addition of Liberty transfer Kendy Charles.
Charles, who will have one year of eligibility left after playing four years with the Flames, brings much-needed experience on and off the field on the defensive line. The Orange Park, Fla., native racked up 109 tackles during his career in Lynchburg, Va., even being named a Phil Steele All-Independent First Team selection his junior year.
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at what specific skills Charles will bring to Durham this fall.
Much like Carter and Franklin before him, the graduate transfer does not possess elite size at the position, as he comes in at 6-foot and 280 pounds. Instead, he largely relies on quick-twitch movements and short bursts of speed at his size to make plays in the backfield. Check that out on this sick, where he explodes out of a stunt to chase down an opposing quarterback (0:05):
Despite being slightly undersized, Charles also still has impressive grip strength and an ability to hold off blockers while pushing the pocket. This was evident throughout his Liberty career, as he racked up 22.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. Watch that strength on display here, as he knocks back an offensive guard before shedding a block and picking up a sack in a big matchup against Arkansas (0:23):
The incoming Blue Devil is also stout in the run game, as his large number of tackles would suggest. For a defense that is now led by one of the brightest defensive minds in the nation with Diaz, the ability to hold up against both the pass and the run will be paramount. See Charles diagnose and blow up a zone scheme against the Razorbacks here, beating the running back to his spot and dropping him for a loss (2:05):
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