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. First up is the special teams unit:
Key players lost: Porter Wilson, Jalon Calhoun
The electric — yes, his punting was electric — Duke punter was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy award and a big part of the Blue Devils’ field-position victories last season. Wilson’s 46.65 punting average set a program record, and he will certainly be missed in Durham this season.
Additionally, Duke loses its return specialist in Calhoun, who routinely fielded punts during his five seasons. His punt return yardage ranked fifth in the ACC in 2023, so this too will be a key hole to fill.
Projected starters: Todd Pelino, Kade Reynoldson, Ryan Degyansky, Sahmir Hagans, Terry Moore
Pelino headlines this year’s special teams corps, as the third-year kicker has converted on over 80% of his field goals and all of his extra points throughout his college career. The junior will look to build on his already-strong career by extending his range this season. Degyansky, a sophomore, is slated to fill in Charlie Ham’s role on kickoff, and Reynoldson will look to fill the shoes of Wilson.
The Australian was an all-state selection in high school and even a national champion in pole vault. He was somewhat inconsistent in the team’s spring game, but has had more time to learn the ropes throughout the summer and fall.
The Blue Devils’ returners look to be Moore and Hagans, both of whom already have some collegiate experience. Moore was a staple in Duke’s kickoff return game last season, setting a career-high 82 yards of total returns against Florida State. Additionally, Hagans has rotated in as a punt returner throughout his career, and while he only had one last season, he returned a punt for a touchdown against Georgia Tech in 2022.
Dark horse: Jared Wheatley
With five years of college football experience, Wheatley could compete with Reynoldson for the starting punting job. The Ohio and Vanderbilt transfer started in seven games last season, and while he punted just once for the Commodores, his experience will help guide the Aussie rookie.
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Dom Fenoglio is a Trinity junior and a sports managing editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.