2018 Duke Blue Devils football team

2018 Duke Blue Devils football
Independence Bowl champion
Independence Bowl, W 56–27 vs. Temple
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
Record8–5 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorZac Roper (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Co-defensive coordinatorBen Albert (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorMatt Guerrieri (1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
MVPDaniel Jones
CaptainJoe Giles-Harris, Ben Humphreys, Daniel Jones, Johnathan Lloyd
Home stadiumWallace Wade Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Clemson x$#^   8 0     15 0  
No. 15 Syracuse   6 2     10 3  
NC State   5 3     9 4  
Boston College   4 4     7 5  
Wake Forest   3 5     7 6  
Florida State   3 5     5 7  
Louisville   0 8     2 10  
Coastal Division
Pittsburgh x   6 2     7 7  
Georgia Tech   5 3     7 6  
Miami (FL)   4 4     7 6  
Virginia   4 4     8 5  
Virginia Tech   4 4     6 7  
Duke   3 5     8 5  
North Carolina   1 7     2 9  
Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Duke Blue Devils football team represented Duke University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the Coastal Division. The team was led by head coach David Cutcliffe, in his 11th year, and play ed its home games at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The Blue Devils finished the regular season with an 8–5 overall record. They went 3–5 in ACC play to finish in sixth place in the Coastal Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl, where they defeated Temple.

Recruiting

Position key

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits

The Blue Devils signed a total of 16 recruits.

College recruiting information (2018)
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Gunnar Holmberg
QB
Wake Forest, NC Heritage High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jul 7, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Jake Bobo
WR
Belmont, MA Belmont Hill School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 25, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Casey Holman
OT
Snellville, GA Brookwood High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Mar 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Tahj Rice
DT
Louisville, KY Waggener High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 320 lb (150 kg) Mar 14, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Zamari Ellis
TE
Henderson, NC Southern Vance High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Apr 8, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Rocky Shelton
LB
Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Apr 25, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jeremiah Lewis
CB
Plano, TX Prestonwood Christian Academy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) May 7, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Shaka Heyward
LB
Hoschton, GA Mill Creek High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) May 12, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dennis Smith
WR
Gaffney, SC Gaffney High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) May 14, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jarett Garner
WR
Harrisburg, NC Hickory Ridge High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jun 8, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Maurice McIntyre
OG
Jacksonville, NC Northside High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 320 lb (150 kg) Jun 12, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Nate Thompson
S
Southern Lee High School Sanford, NC 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jul 5, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Mataeo Durant
RB
McCormick, SC McCormick High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jul 8, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Elijah Brown
DT
Charlotte, NC Providence Day School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 295 lb (134 kg) Sep 9, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Peace Addo
OT
Baltimore, MD St. Frances Academy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 295 lb (134 kg) Dec 16, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kendrick Torain
CB
Tampa, FL Jesuit High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Feb 5, 2018 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Duke Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 10, 2018.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Lott Trophy[1] Ben Humphries LB SR
Rimington Trophy[2] Zach Harmon C SR
Chuck Bednarik Award[3] Mark Gilbert CB JR
Joe Giles-Harris LB JR
Maxwell Award[4] Daniel Jones QB JR
Davey O'Brien Award[5] Daniel Jones QB JR
Doak Walker Award[6] Brittain Brown RB SO
Fred Biletnikoff Award[7] T. J. Rahming WR SR
John Mackey Award[8] Daniel Helm TE SR
Butkus Award[9] Joe Giles-Harris LB JR
Jim Thorpe Award[10] Mark Gilbert CB JR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[11] Mark Gilbert CB JR
Joe Giles-Harris LB JR
Paul Hornung Award[12] Brittain Brown RB/KR SO
Wuerffel Trophy[13] Jonathan Lloyd WR SR
Walter Camp Award[14] Joe Gilles-Harris LB JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[15] Daniel Jones QB JR
Manning Award[16] Daniel Jones QB JR

ACC media poll

The ACC media poll was released on July 24, 2018.

Media poll (Coastal)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Miami 998 (122)
2 Virginia Tech 838 (16)
3 Georgia Tech 654 (8)
4 Duke 607 (1)
5 Pittsburgh 420
6 North Carolina 370 (1)
7 Virginia 257

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 31 7:00 p.m. Army* ESPNU W 34–14 26,017
September 8 12:00 p.m. at Northwestern* ESPNU W 21–7 40,654
September 15 3:30 p.m. at Baylor* FS1 W 40–27 40,442
September 22 3:30 p.m. North Carolina Central*dagger
  • Wallace Wade Stadium
  • Durham, NC
ACCN Extra W 55–13 30,477
September 29 7:00 p.m. Virginia Tech No. 22
  • Wallace Wade Stadium
  • Durham, NC
ESPN2 L 14–31 32,177
October 13 12:20 p.m. at Georgia Tech ACCN W 28–14 41,709
October 20 12:30 p.m. Virginia
  • Wallace Wade Stadium
  • Durham, NC
ACCRSN L 14–28 20,277
October 27 3:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh ACCRSN L 45–54 31,510
November 3 7:00 p.m. at Miami (FL) ESPN2 W 20–12 62,754
November 10 12:20 p.m. North Carolina
ACCN W 42–35 35,493
November 17 7:00 p.m. at No. 2 Clemson ESPN L 6–35 81,313
November 24 12:30 p.m. Wake Forest
  • Wallace Wade Stadium
  • Durham, NC (rivalry)
ACCRSN L 7–59 20,782
December 27 1:30 p.m. vs. Temple* ESPN W 56–27 27,492
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Roster

2018 Duke Blue Devils football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 2 Daniel Karlin So
WR 3 T. J. Rahming Sr
QB 4 Robert Nelson Fr
WR 5 Johnathan Lloyd  Sr
RB 6 Nicodem Pierre  Sr
WR 7 Keyston Fuller  Jr
WR 8 Aaron Young  Jr
WR 11 Scott Bracey  So
QB 12 Gunnar Holmberg Fr
WR 14 Dennis Smith Fr
QB 15 Chris Katrenick  Fr
QB 17 Daniel Jones  Jr
QB 18 Quentin Harris  Jr
WR 19 Jake Bobo Fr
RB 20 Marvin Hubbard III  Fr
RB 21 Mataeo Durant Fr
RB 22 Brittain Brown  So
RB 23 James Jackson IV Fr
WR 24 Jarett Garner Fr
RB 25 Deon Jackson So
WR 26 Troy Duncan So
RB 36 Elijah Deveaux  So
RB 45 Griffin Carter Sr
WR 46 Joe Hardison Fr
TE 46 Aaron Wright So
RB 47 Ryan Wolitzer Jr
C 50 Jack Wohlabaugh  So
C 55 Will Taylor  Fr
OT 60 Patrick Leitten  Fr
OT 61 Zach Thomson Fr
G 63 Zach Harmon  Sr
G 64 Tristan Westover So
G 65 Julian Santos Jr
OT 66 Jaylen Miller  So
G 67 Rakavius Chambers So
C 68 Clark Bulleit Sr
G 69 Zach Baker  Jr
OT 70 Christian Harris  Sr
OL 71 Maurice McIntyre Fr
OT 75 Liam Smith  So
OT 76 Peace Addo Fr
OT 77 Robert Kraeling  So
G 78 Casey Holman Fr
G 79 Jacob Rimmer  Fr
TE 80 Daniel Helm  Sr
TE 81 Davis Koppenhaver  Sr
WR 82 Chris Taylor  Sr
TE 83 Zamari Ellis Fr
WR 84 Trevon Lee  Sr
WR 85 Damond Philyaw-Johnson  Fr
WR 86 D. J. Fullard Fr
TE 87 Noah Gray So
TE 88 Jake Marwede  Fr
TE 89 Mark Birmingham  So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DT 1 Axel Nyembwe So
S 2 Javon Jackson  So
CB 4 Myles Hudzick  So
S 9 Jeremy McDuffie Sr
S 11 Gio Holmes-Garrido  Jr
S 10 Marquis Waters So
CB 12 Mason Williams  Jr
S 13 Jordan Hayes  Jr
S 16 Dylan Singleton Jr
S 23 Lummie Young IV  Fr
S 26 Michael Carter II So
S 27 Damani Neal  Fr
CB 28 Mark Gilbert Jr
S 29 Nate Thompson Fr
S 30 Brandon Feamster  Jr
CB 31 Josh Blackwell  Fr
LB 32 Brandon Hill  So
S 33 Leonard Johnson  Fr
LB 34 Ben Humphreys Sr
CB 35 Antone Williams  So
CB 37 Ken Torain Fr
CB 39 Jeremiah Lewis Fr
LB 40 Jacob Morganstern  So
LB 41 Xander Gagnon  So
LB 42 Shaka Heyward Fr
LB 43 Rocky Shelton II Fr
LB 44 Joe Giles-Harris  Jr
LB 49 Koby Quansah Jr
DE 51 Victor Dimukeje So
LB 52 Cole Carteaux Fr
DT 53 Scott Jones Fr
DT 53 Tahj Rice Fr
LB 54 Kevin Gehsmann Sr
DT 54 Derrick Tangelo So
DT 56 Elijiah Brown Fr
DE 59 Tre Hornbuckle Jr
DE 60 Noah Waddell Jr
DE 86 Drew Jordan So
DE 90 Terrell Lucas Jr
DT 92 Edgar Cerenord  Sr
DT 93 Ben Frye  Fr
DT 94 Twazanga Mugala  Jr
DT 95 Trevon McSwain  Jr
DE 96 Chris Rumph II  Fr
DE 98 Chidi Okonya  So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 11 Tim Skapek Jr
K 36 Matthew Cone So
P 37 Jackson Hubbard So
K 38 Jack Driggers So
K/P 45 Austin Parker  Jr
K 48 A. J. Reed  So
LS 57 John Taylor So
LS 58 Ben Wyatt  So
LS 62 Lee Rodio Jr
K 94 Collin Wareham  Sr


Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Zac Roper (offensive coordinator / quarterbacks)
  • Derek Jones (Associate head coach / defensive backs)
  • Ben Albert (co-defensive coordinator / defensive line)
  • Matt Guerrieri (co-defensive coordinator / Defensive Secondary)
  • Jim Bridge (offensive line)
  • Jeff Faris (tight ends)
  • Re'quan Boyette (running backs)
  • Lanier Goethie (linebackers)
  • Gerad Parker (wide receivers)
  • Kirk Benedict (special teams)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 25, 2018

Game summaries

Army

1 2 3 4 Total
Black Knights 0 0 14 0 14
Blue Devils 3 14 7 10 34

At Northwestern

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 0 21 0 0 21
Wildcats 7 0 0 0 7

[17]

At Baylor

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 7 16 7 10 40
Bears 0 0 13 14 27

North Carolina Central

1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 7 6 0 0 13
Blue Devils 20 7 21 7 55

Virginia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Hokies 3 14 7 7 31
No. 22 Blue Devils 7 0 0 7 14

At Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 7 0 21 0 28
Yellow Jackets 0 7 0 7 14

Virginia

1 2 3 4 Total
Cavaliers 7 7 6 8 28
Blue Devils 0 0 7 7 14

At Pittsburgh

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 7 14 21 3 45
Panthers 7 10 18 19 54

At Miami (FL)

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 7 0 10 3 20
Hurricanes 0 12 0 0 12

North Carolina

1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 14 14 0 7 35
Blue Devils 14 21 7 0 42

At Clemson

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 6 0 0 0 6
No. 2 Tigers 0 14 14 7 35

Wake Forest

1 2 3 4 Total
Demon Deacons 21 10 14 14 59
Blue Devils 0 7 0 0 7

Vs. Temple (Independence Bowl)

1 2 3 4 Total
Owls 13 14 0 0 27
Blue Devils 7 14 21 14 56

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRV22RVRVRVRVRV
CoachesRVRVRVRV23RVRVRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

2019 NFL Draft

Player Team Round Pick # Position
Daniel Jones New York Giants 1st 6 QB

References

  1. ^ "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  2. ^ "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  3. ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  5. ^ "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  6. ^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  7. ^ "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  8. ^ "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  9. ^ "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  10. ^ "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Preseason Watchlist". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  11. ^ "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  12. ^ "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  13. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  14. ^ Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  15. ^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  16. ^ "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  17. ^ "Duke vs. Northwestern - Game Summary - September 8, 2018". ESPN. Retrieved September 8, 2018.