Duke Football: Top 3 breakout candidates for 2020

By Riley Platt | Jul 25, 2020

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach David Cutcliffe of the Duke Blue Devils paces the sideline in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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Jalon Calhoun, Duke football (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Summerville-native Jalon Calhoun broke onto the scene in Durham as just a freshman. In his first season in Duke blue, he racked up 46 receptions for a total of 420 yards. Calhoun also caught four touchdowns, including one in the season-ending win over Miami.

In all honesty, the entire Duke receiving corps could have made this list. Unfortunately though, there’s only three spots. Calhoun was the most versatile of Duke’s returning receivers this past season. Losing veteran studs like Scott Bracey and Aaron Young will not be an easy task to overcome, but the Blue Devils have the talent at receiver to do it.

While it was a down year offensively, Calhoun’s four touchdowns led the team. Leading the team in receiving as a freshman, no matter how rough of a season it was, is an impressive task.

Calhoun often brought energy to this team when there was none. He plays the game with a self-dubbed ‘rockstar’ mentality, and has the skillset to back it up. Look for the sophomore to back up his impressive debut and become one of the most electric receivers in all of the ACC.

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