Duke football fans might not need to wait much longer for the program’s fifth transfer commitment of the offseason.
According to a Monday report from 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer, former Utah State cornerback Jaiden Francois is expected to play for the Blue Devils in 2025.
A former four-star talent from the Class of 2020, Francois has already spent time with three different teams. He initially committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but he transferred to the UCF Knights before his freshman season even began. He recorded one tackle with the Knights in three seasons before moving to the Aggies, where he finally blossomed as an upperclassman.
Francois recorded 57 total tackles in his first season with Utah State, a personal best, and he added 51 more this past year. He returned an interception for a touchdown in each season, and he notched eight tackles for loss and four pass breakups.
Francois and former Sam Houston State safety Caleb Weaver will help rebuild a Duke back seven losing Joshua Pickett, Cameron Bergeron, and Jaylen Stinson (and potentially All-ACC corner [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag], if the NFL comes calling).
In the first season under head coach [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag], a defensive coach by trade, the Blue Devils allowed 6.0 yards per attempt with 15 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions.