Tag: Jalon Calhoun

Former Duke wide receiver Jalon Calhoun signs with Detroit Lions

Jalon Calhoun, a five-year Blue Devils wide receiver, signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on Saturday night.

Duke wide receiver Jalon Calhoun didn’t hear his name called during the 2024 NFL draft, but he’ll still get to put pen to paper on an NFL contract.

The Detroit Lions signed Calhoun as an undrafted free agent after the seventh round ended on Saturday evening.

Calhoun played for the Blue Devils for five seasons, starting as a freshman in 2019. He played 61 games across that time frame, amassing more than 3,000 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns.

He had his best season in 2022 when he caught 62 passes for 873 yards, both career-highs, and tied his personal best with four receiving touchdowns. He finished his career with an average of 49.6 yards per game, and he surpassed 100 yards in six different games, including a staggering 174 yards against Wake Forest in 2022.

Calhoun finished either first or second on the team in receiving yards during each of his five Duke seasons. In fact, he led the team with 420 receiving yards as a freshman.

Calhoun will fight for playing time on a stacked Detroit offense featuring receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

Duke statistical leaders through four games

Does anyone on this list worry you?

There are few programs college football fans are buying more stock in right now than Duke. Maybe the only program that has turned more heads is the Deion Sanders-led Colorado. ESPN decided that there’s enough interest in the Blue Devils that the next episode of “College GameDay” will be broadcast from Durham. For once, people on Duke’s campus are excited and not about men’s basketball.

It is there that Notre Dame will play this weekend coming off the toughest of losses to Ohio State. The Irish will be facing a team trying to prove it’s for real and belongs with the best of college football. Plus, a raucous crowd at Wallace Wade Stadium likely will be waiting for them. Only they will be able to put a damper on the celebratory mood.

Here are the players who have gotten it done for the Blue Devils so far and will look to continue to do so against the Irish:

Notre Dame vs. Duke: Third-Quarter Analysis

Little by little, we’re seeing glimpses of how Notre Dame is expected to play this season.

Little by little, we’re seeing glimpses of how Notre Dame is expected to play this season. It may not be pretty, but the Irish are getting the job done. They lead Duke, 17-13, after three quarters.

The Blue Devils’ first possession of the second half was cut short when Jalon Calhoun, their leading receiver from last year, fumbled a reception and saw Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah make the recovery. However, it wasn’t all good for the Irish as Kyle Hamilton limped off the field and has yet to return. Gotta give something to get something, I suppose.

Out of a timeout and with eight minutes left in the quarter, Kyren Williams took the ball on a fourth-and-1 and ran it 26 yards for his second touchdown of the game. So far, this kid looks to be worth the hype. Of course, he got a little help on a nice block from Javon McKinley.

It turned out the Irish needed that 17-6 lead because the Blue Devils aren’t going away. After the Irish went three-and-out deep in their own territory, Chase Brice took advantage of a short field and made a couple of nice passes to lead a touchdown drive. He finished it off himself by running in from 2 yards out.

Tale of the Tape: Leading Receivers – Javon McKinley vs. Jalon Calhoun

The number of quality receivers Ian Book had to throw to last year was almost unfair.

The number of quality receivers Ian Book had to throw to last year was almost unfair. So when Javon McKinley is Notre Dame’s top returnee at that position, it might seem a little underwhelming, especially given his history with injuries and inconsistency. The good news is he’s had a knack for some big plays in the opportunities he’s gotten. His receptions should increase this season, so his yards per catch should decrease.

Jalon Calhoun led Duke and ACC freshmen in receiving in 2019. Though his numbers might not jump out much, it’s a testament to how evenly the Blue Devils distributed the ball. Less than five yards a game separate their top three receivers, which included returning tight end Noah Gray. The question will be whether transfer Chase Brice has developed enough chemistry with Calhoun and Gray during workouts.

Calhoun has the advantage in this matchup as far as health, chances and regular output. But for all we know, another Irish receiver not named McKinley will emerge and blow away everyone else. We’d all like that, wouldn’t we?