Tag: Chandler Rivers

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers announces his return for the 2025 season

The NFL will come calling for Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers eventually, but it’ll need to wait until after the 2025 season.

The Duke football program will lose quite a few impact players this offseason, but the Blue Devils won’t lose cornerback Chandler Rivers.

Rivers announced his decision to return for the 2025 season through social media on Friday evening.

“ion like how that ended [sic],” Rivers wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after Duke’s 52-20 loss to Ole Miss in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

Rivers earned First Team All-ACC and Third-Team All-America honors in 2024 after he finished with 54 tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack. He picked off Miami quarterback Cam Ward, an eventual Heisman Trophy finalist, and returned another interception for a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles.

With cornerback Joshua Pickett and safety Jaylen Stinson both utilizing their final year of eligibility in 2024, Rivers electing to return is a massive domino for Manny Diaz and the Duke coaching staff. Duke allowed 6.0 yards per attempt through the regular season, tied for 12th among FBS programs.

The Blue Devils also pulled former Sam Houston State safety Caleb Weaver and former Utah State cornerback Jaiden Francois from the transfer portal to rebuild the back seven.

Duke football expected to land its second defensive back from the transfer portal

According to a Monday report from 247Sports experts Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz, the Blue Devils should land a Mountain West defensive back.

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.

Duke football lands another transfer portal commitment from Sam Houston State safety

Duke added to its strongest position group on Saturday morning with a transfer commitment from Sam Houston State safety Caleb Weaver.

The Duke Blue Devils remain on the lookout for 2025 talent in the transfer portal, and head coach [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] added to his strongest position group on Saturday morning.

Caleb Weaver, a defensive back from Sam Houston State, announced his commitment to the program through social media.

Weaver, a Class of 2021 product, played 34 games for the Bearkats over the past three seasons. He finished the 2024 campaign with a team-leading 97 total tackles, four interceptions, and six more pass deflections.

Duke allowed 6.0 yards per pass attempt this season, tied for 12th among FBS defenses, with 15 passing touchdowns allowed and 12 interceptions. A veteran secondary comprised of four upperclassmen, led by All-ACC cornerback [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag], helped constrict opponents downfield, but Diaz will need to rebuild for next season. Rivers will have another year of eligibility, but the NFL could come calling after his all-conference campaign, and safety Jaylen Stinson and cornerback Joshua Pickett both just wrapped up their last Duke season.

Diaz and his staff already pulled Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah from the portal last week, and Dartmouth defensive lineman Josiah Green and Oklahoma Sooners wideout Andrel Anthony Jr. have both committed since Wednesday.

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers named Third-Team All-American by Associated Press

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers was one of six players at his position named to the AP All-America team on Monday.

[autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag], the anchor of the 2024 Duke defense, earned some national recognition for his junior campaign on Monday.

The Associated Press released the AP All-America team to start the week, and Rivers joined Michigan Wolverines star Will Johnson on the Third-Team defensive squad.

Rivers intercepted three passes this season, including one he returned for a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles, and he nabbed one from Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward two weeks later. He racked up 52 total tackles, including 7.5 for a loss, and he broke up nine other passes to finish tied for third among ACC defensive backs in passes defended.

The third-year corner was the only Blue Devil to make the All-ACC First Team from the conference, and the Associated Press placed him and offensive tackle Brian Parker II on its All-ACC First Team squad.

Former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy writes his goodbye to the Blue Devils and fans

Former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy shared his goodbye to Blue Devils fans after his decision to enter the transfer portal.

[autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] and the Duke football fans may not have expected their union to last a single season, but the 2024 starting quarterback let the Blue Devils faithful know what they meant to him on Wednesday morning.

Roughly 36 hours after the initial announcement that Murphy would enter the transfer portal for the second time in two offseasons, he shared a short statement to social media to thank Duke fans for their support over the past four months.

“Blue Devil Nation, thank you for this amazing chapter in my life,” Murphy wrote. “It was one I can always remember and learn from. Thank you for your love and support throughout the highs and lows this season, it’s been a pleasure playing in Wally Wade.”

Despite his decision to leave the program, several of Murphy’s teammates let the world know they still loved their quarterback. Star wideout [autotag]Jordan Moore[/autotag] and All-ACC defensive back [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag], among others, made sure to share supportive messages as he seeks his next home.

Murphy threw for 2,933 yards and a program-record 26 touchdowns this season, completing 60.3% of his passes. The former Texas Longhorns quarterback played his best football at the end of the season, averaging 286.4 passing yards and scoring 14 total touchdowns in the final five games.

Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah announced his commitment to the Blue Devils on Wednesday morning.

Jordan Moore and Chandler Rivers show love to Maalik Murphy after transfer portal decision

Duke football stars Jordan Moore and Chandler Rivers shared their support for quarterback Maalik Murphy after his decision to transfer.

Duke quarterback [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] made the relatively surprising decision to hit the transfer portal again after one year as the program’s starter, but it seems the former Texas Longhorn still made an impact on his teammates.

Star wideout [autotag]Jordan Moore[/autotag] and All-ACC cornerback [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag] both expressed their admiration for Murphy on social media on Tuesday, the morning after he announced his choice to leave.

“Great teammate and great friend,” Moore wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Go be great.”

Murphy and Moore connected for 798 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 despite the senior receiver battling injuries for most of the season. They teamed up for one of the best plays of the season against Wake Forest, a 39-yard touchdown on the final play that cemented a 23-17 victory.

The walk-off touchdown will likely be Murphy’s final snap with the Blue Devils after he confirmed he wouldn’t play in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against Ole Miss.

“Always love on this end 6,” Rivers added from his own X account.

The third-year corner made the All-ACC First Team with 52 total tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and three interceptions as a junior.

Two Duke football players named to Associated Press All-ACC First Team

Two Duke Blue Devils made the All-ACC First Team squad released by the Associated Press on Monday.

The Associated Press released its All-ACC football teams, and cornerback [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag] and offensive tackle Brian Parker II both made the First Team.

Rivers, the only Duke football player on the All-ACC First Team named by the conference itself, ended the 2024 season with 52 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and nine other pass breakups. He returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles in Week 8, his second straight season with a pick-six against FSU, and he nabbed passes from SMU’s Kevin Jennings and Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

Parker made the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week for his Week 6 performance against Georgia Tech and the site’s ACC Team of the Week after the season finale against Wake Forest. According to PFF tracking, he only gave up eight pressures and no sacks in 467 pass-blocking snaps.

Offensive guard Caleb Krings, defensive tackle Kendy Charles, and safety Terry Moore all made the Second Team. Charles, a Liberty transfer, ended the season with 49 total tackles, 7.0 TFLs, and two sacks, and Moore tied Rivers with three interceptions.

Eight Duke football stars, including wideout Jordan Moore, honored on All-ACC teams

The ACC included eight Duke Blue Devils on its all-conference team for the 2024 college football season, including star wideout Jordan Moore.

The ACC released its 2024 all-conference teams for the 2024 college football season on Tuesday, and eight Blue Devils earned a spot on one of the three squads.

Cornerback [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag], who finished the season with three interceptions, nine other deflections, and 52 total tackles, was the lone Duke football player on the First-Team squad, joining California’s Nohl Williams at the position. However, four Blue Devils made the Second-Team unit with three others on the Third-Team roster.

Offensive linemen Brian Parker II and Caleb Krings joined defensive tackle Kendy Charles and safety Terry Moore on the second team. Parker and Krings helped protect quarterback [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] all season, and the Blue Devils only surrendered 12 sacks as a team in 2024.

Charles, an offseason transfer from Liberty, finished with 49 total tackles, 7.0 of which resulted in a loss, with 2.0 sacks from the interior, and Moore tied Rivers with three interceptions on the season.

Wideouts [autotag]Jordan Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Eli Pancol[/autotag], both of whom surpassed 700 yards in the regular season, made the third team alongside linebacker Ozzie Nicholas.

Pancol, the Brian Piccolo Award recipient for the ACC this season, caught 55 passes for 741 yards and nine touchdowns after missing the entire 2023 season due to injury. His best game came in his final home game at Wallace Wade Stadium in Week 13 when he picked up 188 yards and scored three touchdowns on five catches against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Moore, who battled injury in the middle of the season, caught 50 passes for a team-leading 798 yards and seven scores. Nicholas paced the Blue Devils with 89 total tackles, and he forced turnovers on back-to-back plays against the Florida State Seminoles in Week 8.

Defensive end Wesley Williams, defensive tackle Aaron Hall, safety Jaylin Stinson, punter Kade Reynoldson, return man Que’Sean Brown, and linebackers Alex Howard and Tre Freeman all made the Honorable Mentions.

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers named to First-Team All-ACC squad after standout season

The ACC revealed its 2024 all-conference football teams on Tuesday, including a First-Team nomination for Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers.

The ACC unveiled its 2024 all-conference honorees for the 2024 college football season on Tuesday, and star Blue Devils cornerback [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag] earned one of two First-Team spots at his position.

Rivers, in his third season with the program, intercepted a career-high three passes over the regular season. He returned the first for a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles in Week 8, his second straight game with a pick-six against FSU, en route to ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors. He picked off a pass in each of the next two games against SMU and Miami as well.

Rivers also broke up nine other throws, and his 12 total passes defended put him in a tie for 20th among all FBS defensive backs.

Pro Football Focus graded Rivers as the best FBS cornerback through Week 13, and he finished the season with 52 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and a sack on top of his pass protection.

Seven other Blue Devils made the Second-Team or Third-Team squads, including fellow defensive back Terry Moore (Second-Team) and defensive tackle Kendy Charles (Second-Team).

Duke football star Chandler Rivers is the nation’s highest-graded cornerback, per PFF

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers has put together a standout junior season, and his Pro Football Focus grade reflects that.

Duke cornerback [autotag]Chandler Rivers[/autotag] has been the biggest star of a steller Blue Devils defense this season, and it seems Pro Football Focus agrees that the junior is underrated among his peers.

As of Thursday afternoon, Rivers leads FBS cornerbacks with a 90.4 defensive grade (among players with at least 50 snaps).

Rivers intercepted a pass in three straight games during the middle of the season, starting his run with a pick-six against the Florida State Seminoles. He also snagged a pass from SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings and Miami star Cam Ward, the two passers likely to face off in the conference championship game.

The third-year defensive back has also broken up nine passes, and his 12 passes defended have him in a tie for 12th. That total also leaves Rivers in a tie with Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter, the presumed Heisman favorite.

Rivers’ 89.0 PFF coverage grade is tied for sixth among qualifying FBS corners, but he stands out among his peers with a 90.8 pass-rushing grade. Blue Devils defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke, a Broyles Award nominee, enjoys sending his star corner on coordinated blitzes, and PFF credits him with nine pressures through 11 games.