Duke Football: 3 upperclassmen who must step up in 2022

Duke football is undergoing significant transitions this offseason. These players must play well for the Blue Devils to return to relevance.

The Duke Blue Devils football program is going through a period of transition. David Cutcliffe, the head coach for 14 years, retired at the end of last season.

When Cutcliffe took over the Blue Devils program, it was arguably the worst program in FBS, winning just two games in the three years before Cutcliffe became head coach. During Cutcliffe’s 14-year tenure as head coach, Duke went to six bowl games and won 10 games in 2013.

The last three seasons were not kind to Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils.  Neither Cutcliffe nor the Blue Devils could figure out the quarterback position after Daniel Jones left for the NFL. Both Chase Bryce and Gunnar Holmberg struggled to find their footing.

Cutcliffe and Duke mutually decided to part ways at the end of last season. Former Notre Dame and Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko takes over as head coach.

Elko and his staff have an uphill climb to rebuild the program. Since 2018, the Blue Devils are just 10-25 and 4-22 in ACC play. Cutcliffe had brought the Blue Devils to a level of respectability not seen since Steve Spurrier led the Blue Devils to a conference title in 1989.

The roster has some depth issues, but it is not entirely devoid of talent. Elko needs these three players to step up and play well this fall for the Blue Devils to begin their uphill climb to respectability.