Duke College Football Preview 2021: Top Players
Best Duke Offensive Player
RB Mataeo Durant, Sr.
The thin, quick, 6-1, 195-pound back took over at times last season for an offense that desperately needed someone to help out the error-prone passing attack. His four 100-yard games in the last seven were a bright spot. The 2021 leading rusher isn’t a workhorse but has terrific speed, averaged 6.8 yards per carry with a team-high 817 yards and eight scores, and he can catch a little, too.
2. QB Gunnar Holmberg, Jr.
3. WR Jake Bobo, Sr.
4. OT Casey Holman, Jr.
5. C Graham Barton, Soph.
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Best Duke Defensive Player
LB Shaka Heyward, Jr.
While he’s not exactly built for the part, the 6-4, 220-pound inside linebacker holds up well and can move, leading the team with 80 stops to go along with three sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. He might not be too much in pass coverage, but that’s not his job. Don’t expect thump, but he’ll get the job done against the run.
2. CB Jeremiah Lewis, Jr.
3. CB Leonard Johnson, Sr.
4. LB Rocky Shelton, Jr.
5. LB Dorian Mausi, Soph.
Top Incoming Duke Transfer
DT Ja’Mion Franklin
The best and the only meaningful transfer so far, the former Notre Dame defensive tackle is a 6-1, 310-pound big body for a defensive interior that needs as many bulk options as possible.