Tag: Duke football

Former Duke CB Brandon Johnson is currently visiting Texas A&M

Texas A&M is in the midst of hosting former Duke nickel corner Brandon Johnson going into this weekend.

New Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is on quite the roll, landing ten players through the transfer portal, including former Purdue star pass rusher Nic Scourton, a Bryan, Texas native. Elko, who was most recently the head coach at Duke for the past two seasons, has kept in contact with several current Blue Devils, including nickel cornerback Brandon Johnson.

On Thursday, AggiesToday reported that Johnson, who has spent his last three seasons with Duke, is officially visiting College Station, joining a long list of veterans from the portal. For most of his collegiate career, Johnson has played at the nickel corner spot, accumulating 128 tackles (70 solo tackles), 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions from 2021-2023.

It’s no secret that A&M needs help at the cornerback position, and while incoming junior hybrid safety Bryce Anderson is slated to take over at the nickel spot, Johnson brings a wealth of experience and production with an understanding of what Elko demands on defense.

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Former Tiger back in the ACC with new coaching position

A former Clemson player is now coaching in the ACC.

The Clemson football program has a long history of success, with former players excelling on the field and beyond their time as players and coaches.

We’ve seen former Tigers succeed in the coaching world, with one of them being former quarterback Willie Simmons. After an excellent 2018-23 run as Florida A&M’s head coach/quarterbacks coach, Simmons is moving on and heading back to the ACC.

According to reports, Simmons is taking his talents to Duke to join Manny Diaz’s staff as their new running back coach. A big step for Simmons; he returns to the ACC and will look to further develop as a coach and take the next step in his career.

Texas A&M football program formally hires Patrick Dougherty as special teams coordinator

Expectations officially became reality on Saturday afternoon as the Texas A&M football team hired Patrick Dougherty as its special teams coordinator.

Expectations officially became reality on Saturday afternoon as the Texas A&M football team hired Patrick Dougherty as its special teams coordinator.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported on Friday that the move was in the works but the Aggies formally made it official on Saturday.

Dougherty served as special teams and tight ends coach for new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko at Duke for the last two seasons. He has been hired to serve in the same roles for the Aggies.

Before joining Elko in Durham, Dougherty coached special teams and tight ends at Ball State University from 2016 to 2021. He also displayed an ability to serve as associate head coach during his final season with the Cardinals.

Dougherty had an immediate impact with the Blue Devils, ranking in the top 25 nationally in blocked kicks, punt & kick return defense, respectively, and punt return average.

During his nearly six-season tenure at Texas A&M, former Aggies leading man Jimbo Fisher did not have a special teams coordinator. Elko has shown that he’s quickly changing things at Kyle Field in more ways than one.

Dougherty joins Ishmael Aristide, Adam Cushing and Trooper Taylor in departing from Durham with Elko for College Station.

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Texas A&M football team officially hires Trooper Taylor from Duke to coach running backs

Among those departing Durham is Carl “Trooper” Taylor, the associate head coach and running backs coach, who Elko hired for the same roles.

Hours after the conclusion of the 2023 season, Texas A&M solidified its coaching staff for 2024 and made reported hirings officially official on Friday.

One of the main moves that new Aggies head coach Mike Elko made after being hired was to bring some familiar faces with him to College Station. Among those departing Durham with him is Carl “Trooper” Taylor, the associate head coach and running backs coach. Elko has hired him for the same roles at Texas A&M.

Taylor began coaching the Blue Devils in 2019, leading the wide receivers for his first two seasons. In 2021, he became associate head coach and cornerbacks coach.

When Elko came to Durham in 2022, Taylor kept his role as AHC and began coaching the running backs. After Elko departed Duke in November to accept the Aggies job, Taylor served as interim head coach and led the Blue Devils to a 17-10 win against Troy in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 23.

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Report: Texas A&M football team set to hire Patrick Dougherty from Duke as special teams coordinator

For the first time since 2017, the Texas A&M football program has a special teams coordinator.

For the first time since 2017, the Texas A&M football program has a special teams coordinator.

According to a report from 247Sports national college football reporter Matt Zenitz, the Aggies are expected to hire Patrick Dougherty from Duke as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. Dougherty previously served in the same roles for new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko with the Blue Devils in 2022.

Before joining Elko in Durham, Dougherty coached special teams and tight ends at Ball State University from 2016 to 2021. He also displayed an ability to serve as associate head coach during his final season with the Cardinals.

Dougherty had an immediate impact at Duke, ranking in the top 25 nationally in blocked kicks, punt & kick return defense, respectively, and punt return average.

During his nearly six-season tenure in College Station, former Aggies leading man Jimbo Fisher did not have a special teams coordinator. Elko has shown that he’s quickly changing things at Kyle Field in more ways than one.

Following the Texas Bowl on Wednesday, Texas A&M made several of Elko’s coaching hires official. Dougherty joins a staff that includes offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach Collin Klein, associate head coach & running backs coach Trooper Taylor, offensive line coach Adam Cushing, defensive coordinator & linebackers coach Jay Bateman, defensive backs coach Ishmael Aristide, defensive line coach Sean Spencer, director of strength & conditioning Tommy Moffitt and director of recruiting Derek Miller.

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Texas transfer QB Maalik Murphy commits to Duke

The former Texas QB has announced where he will be playing football in 2024.

Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy announced his commitment to Duke on Friday after entering the transfer portal earlier this month. Continue reading “Texas transfer QB Maalik Murphy commits to Duke”

Maalik Murphy reportedly ready to transfer to Duke — off USC’s big board at QB

A door closes for USC.

Everyone is wondering what Lincoln Riley will do to fill out USC’s quarterback room for 2024 in the Big Ten. Given that Malachi Nelson transferred out of the program, and given that Dillon Gabriel went to Oregon while Cam Ward is in play at Miami and Florida State, the possibility of Maalik Murphy — a Southern California product — going to USC seemed to be within the realm of possibility. It was never likely, but the potential for a plot twist briefly emerged.

Well, you can shut the door on that possibility now.

Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Friday night that Murphy is ready to transfer to Duke and play for new Blue Devil head coach Manny Diaz. It’s a huge success for Diaz as he tries to get his program rolling. It also narrows the quarterback market for Riley and USC.

The dream scenario for the Trojans would have been to have Will Howard as the 2024 quarterback and Murphy as the QB-in-waiting for 2025, much as Oregon has Dillon Gabriel for 2024 and Dante Moore for 2025. Yet, Murphy wants to play now, and that’s why going to USC was never the probable outcome. USC had hoped it cound swing such a situation, but that dream appears to have died.

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It’s official: Derek Miller has been hired on as Texas A&M’s Director of Recruiting

The Aggies have officially announced that Derek Miller will be the Director of Recruiting, following Mike Elko from Duke.

It was reported early this month that Derek Miller would follow Mike Elko to Texas A&M, but nothing was set in stone. Well, that has now all been put to rest as it’s now official that Miller will serve as the “General Manager” of recruiting, otherwise known as the Director of Recruiting.

Miller is regarded as one of the up-and-comers in the college ranks regarding player personnel and recruiting. He is known to be very detail-oriented and a great leader, even at his young age. ECU head coach Mike Houston said as much when Miller joined his staff back in 2021.

“Derek’s work ethic, attention to detail, organizational and leadership skills will provide a great impact not only in recruiting, but across the board in many phases of our program’s development,”. We are extremely fortunate to have someone with his expertise and proficiency in this critical position.”

Elko, being familiar with Miller after working together at Bowling Green, joined Elko at Duke and helped bring in one of the better recruiting classes in team history. This is a massive acquisition for the Aggies and for the first time in about seven months, Texas A&M will have a fully staffed recruiting department.

Congratulations to Miller for joining the Aggie network and we look forward to seeing what he can do once Mike Elko can completely take over the football functions for A&M.

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Tyler Cherry de-commits from Duke football

Tyler Cherry de-commits from Duke football.

Tyler Cherry has re-opened his recruitment, the four-star quarterback de-committing from Duke on Friday afternoon. Last week, Cherry took a visit to Indiana.

Last season as a senior at Center Grove (Greenwood, Indiana), Cherry threw for 3,156 yards with 34 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He is a four-star quarterback according to On3 and Rivals. He checks in as the No. 229 recruit in the On3 Industry Rankings.

It is unclear if Cherry’s decision is tied to the news that Maalik Murphy, the former starting quarterback at Texas who is in the transfer portal, is set to visit Duke. There was, however, an indicator for a week now that Cherry and Duke were set to split when he was offered by Indiana and took a visit.

 

The Hoosiers recently hired Curt Cignetti as head coach and that may play a role here.

As one of the top offensive minds in college football, Cignetti would have a certain allure to Cherry in his recruitment. After all, Cignetti is known as a top-notch developer of quarterback talent.

Cherry is also being heavily linked to Michigan State as well.

Texas A&M HC Mike Elko will face his former Duke quarterback to open the 2024 season

It’s official: Former Duke Quarterback Riley Leonard will transfer to Notre Dame, meaning new Texas A&M HC Mike Elko will face his former QB in 2024.

If you were to bet on future destinations regarding the 2023 college football transfer portal, a sure bet would always be former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard landing in South Bend (IN) with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

With veteran QB Sam Hartman out of eligibility and headed to the 2024 NFL Draft, the talented Leonard, who spent three seasons, threw for 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just ten interceptions, including 1,224 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.

Standing at 6’4″ and 212 pounds, Leonard has already received a ton of NFL Draft buzz for 2025, and after Hartman’s statistically successful season with the program, Leonard is a perfect fit in head coach Marcus Freeman’s system.

Even better, former Duke head coach Mike Elko, now leading Texas A&M into the 2024 season and beyond, is set to host the Fighting Irish on Saturday, Aug. 31, meaning a reunion for the duo, so, to quote Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, “get your popcorn ready.”

While Texas A&M’s SEC schedule dates/times will be released on Wednesday night, Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame could end up being the Aggies’ most challenging game of the season, especially since they’ll avoid playing Alabama, Ole Miss, and Georgia in the first division-less SEC season, and the first year for the 12-team CFP playoff structure.

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