Duke Football Set to Begin 2015 Season After Start of Spring Practice, Signing Day
By Chris Brown
The Duke Football program officially started its 2015 campaign after signing its incoming freshman class on National Signing Day and opening with their first spring practice Friday morning. The NCAA allows for 15 days of actual practice and training during the spring semester for all Division I schools.
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In 2014, Duke made it to the Hyundai Sun Bowl losing to #15 Arizona State 36-31 and have made it to a bowl game for three years in a row. The Blue Devils have 15 starters and 51 letter winners from last year’s 9-4 team returning to play this upcoming season, however the offense will be losing 4 All-ACC performers in quarterback Anthony Boone, wide receiver Jamison Crowder, and offensive linemen Takoby Cofield and Laken Tomlinson.
Heading into spring practice, back-up QB Thomas Sirk will take over as the starting QB. The rising redshirt junior played in 12 games last season and finished with 67 passing yards for three touchdowns and 47 runs for 238 yards and a team-high eight rushing touchdowns.
Several key players returning include All-American safety Jeremy Cash deciding to return for his senior season instead of enter the NFL draft, All-ACC cornerback and special teams returner DeVon Edwards, All-ACC center Matt Skura, running back Shaquille Powell coming off of a career-high 117 rushing yards in the Sun Bowl, tight end David Reeves, kicker Ross Martin. Linebacker Kelby Brown and tight end Braxton Deaver, both previous all-conference honorees, will also join Duke in 2015 after missing last season due to injuries but were granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. Also running back Jela Duncan will return to this season after a 1 year suspension.
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Duke also added 17 incoming freshmen next season on Wednesday, Feb 4th for National Signing Day. More information about each of the members of the class of 2015 and highlight videos can be seen here. The Blue Devils will bring in one ESPN300 recruit next season, wide receiver Keyston Fuller out of Griffin, Georgia. Fuller is the 27th ranked WR and 217th ranked overall prospect according to ESPN, and will hopefully be able to fill the void left by Crowder’s absence. Additionally two recruits, defensive end Marquies Price and offensive tackle Reno Rosene, have enrolled at Duke early and began the second semester as students in January.
The Blue Devils will begin their 2015 season schedule on the road at Tulane September 3rd before their home-opener introducing the new Wallace Wade Stadium improvements against North Carolina Central Sept. 12th.