With the 2024 season coming up fast, The Chronicle is breaking down each major position group on the Duke roster: specialists, defensive line, offensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, receivers, running backs and quarterbacks. Next up is the secondary:
Key players lost: Myles Jones, Al Blades Jr., Jeremiah Lewis
In the list of players returning to Duke’s secondary next season, there will be a noticeable lack of impressive defensive statistics. The three key departures — Jones, Blades Jr. and Lewis — are taking all of the gaudy numbers with them. Jones and Lewis were the only two Blue Devils last season to record multiple interceptions, including Lewis’s game-sealing pick against Troy in Duke’s Birmingham Bowl win. Cornerback Blades was a savant in the air, breaking up a team-leading 10 passes while playing during each of the team’s 13 games. Though Jones had a proclivity for interceptions, he only appeared in four games for Mike Elko’s squad, making his departure a bit less painful.
Projected starters: Chandler Rivers, Tre’Shon Devones, Terry Moore, Placide Djungu-Sungu, Jaylen Stinson
Rivers and Stinson will be the two most familiar names for Wade Wackos, as both played significant roles for the Blue Devils last season. Rivers broke up seven passes, had one interception, and amassed 39 solo tackles while playing corner in every game last season. Stinson tallied very similar totals last year while playing the nickel, with 42 solo tackles, six passes broken up, and one interception as well. Rivers earned the MVP of Duke’s Birmingham Bowl win with four tackles — two of them for a loss — alongside three passes broken up.
Devones is a graduate transfer from Rice, where he started 11 of 12 games and notched 10 passes broken up with two interceptions. The AAC is certainly a weaker conference than the ACC, but after putting up those numbers, he’ll be able to play a starter-level cornerback for Duke.
Moore and Djungu-Sungu are returning depth pieces from last season’s team who’ll be a larger part of this season’s group. Moore will likely be manning the strong safety position with Djungu-Sungu at free safety. Last season, Moore showed an ability to get to the quarterback as well as play in the secondary, notching two QB hits as well as breaking up two passes. Djungu-Sungu only had three tackles last season, and though he will be tested in a starting role this season, he will be supported by a strong group.
Dark horse: Joshua Pickett
Pickett isn’t currently projected as a starter, but he’s an important returning bench piece from last season. He made appearances in all 13 games, but only made 17 tackles and broke up two passes. However, those 13 games worth of experience could prove important to this year’s team, and he’ll be a solid rotational cornerback with the ability to break out into a larger role.
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