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Duke football hoping to develop bright future in 2020

By Michael Hanich

DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Quentin Harris #18 and wide receiver Quay Chambers #19 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate following a touchdown against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the football game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Quentin Harris #18 and wide receiver Quay Chambers #19 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate following a touchdown against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the football game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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Blue Devils seek to improve significantly under Chase Brice

David Cutcliffe has been a developer of great college and NFL quarterbacks. Over time, he has turned into a great head coach that allows his coordinators to build and develop the offense.

Zac Roper has been a long-time Blue Devils assistant as he was with coach Cutcliffe since he was a grad assistant at Ole Miss from 2001-04. Roper is entering 2020 as the Blue Devils’ offensive coordinator for the fifth season. He knows the type of plays that Cutcliffe performs and how he wants his team established.

The Blue Devils have regressed hard from a 2018 team led by quarterback Daniel Jones to a 2019 offense that was among one of the worst in the ACC. Last season, they were ranked 94th (11th in the ACC) in points (25.3) and 114th (13th in the ACC) in total yards (329.7).

The biggest problem from Duke last season was the significant turnovers they accounted for as they allowed 28 turnovers with 14 interceptions and 14 fumbles. They had a turnover ratio of -11, which was 120th.

Duke received a huge boost during the offseason by adding former Clemson backup quarterback Chase Brice. In 11 games he played in last season for the Tigers, he threw for 581 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception. He has appeared in 25 games for the Tigers and felt that his career would be suited to train under Cutcliffe. Brice’s immediate impact in the passing game will help the passing offense that was ranked 110th (12th in the ACC) in passing yards (179.3).

With two solid years under Cutcliffe, Brice could be a high-caliber passer for Duke.

One key offensive player that was supposed to help the transition of the Blue Devils after the departure of Jones was their efficient run game. This past season, the Blue Devils were ranked 79th nationally in rushing yards (150.3). They had three main rushers they used all season long. Only Quentin Harris rushed for 100 yards in a game as he had two and is not returning in 2020.

The other running backs in Deon Jackson and Mateo Durant will return and look have a bigger impact. Jackson was named to Athlon Sports’ third-team All-ACC as an all-purpose playmaker due to his impact in the running and receiving game.

Duke’s passing game also suffered last due to the lack of experience in its receiving corps. This season, the same problem looks to resurface as the Blue Devils lose their third and fourth leading receivers as they’ve transferred. Tight end Noah Gray returns for his senior season after he caught 51 passes (team-high) for 392 yards (second on team) and three touchdowns.

Duke returns wide receiver Jalon Calhoun after starting all 12 games as a true freshman last season. He caught 46 passes for 420 yards and four touchdowns (team-high). Receivers Darrell Harding Jr. and Eli Pancol are set to make their first starts for a young, inexperienced corps.

The Blue Devils are set to return four offensive linemen that started last season that gave up 28 total sacks. They return center Jack Wohlabaugh and right guard Rakavius Chambers in 2020.

This is an offensive line that features two sophomore starters in left tackle Casey Holman and right tackle Jacob Monk. They are also expected to start another sophomore in left guard Maurice McIntyre this season. There might be some competition for the tackle positions with incoming Stanford transfer Devery Hamilton looking to make an impact.

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