Duke Football Team Preview: Linebacker
The next installment in our Duke Football Team Preview comes from the linebacker unit and the return of Kelby Brown. He returns after missing the entire 2014 season due to a knee injury he suffered in preseason practice. Brown was lucky enough to receive a sixth season of eligibility. The last time he saw the field in 2013, Brown recorded 114 tackles with 9.5 for loss as well as a first team All-ACC selection.
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It is quite simple in terms of this unit. Kelby Brown has to be good. Not only does he have to be good but he has to return to his 2013 form because of the loss of two starters in C.J. France and David Helton. Brown has amassed in 32 career games, 242 tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, eight quarterback pressures, two interceptions, two caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He is one of the leaders of the defense and he must stay healthy.
The Blue Devils also return Zavier Carmichael, a 6’0, 210 pound, sophomore, who played in 13 games last season, registering 20 tackles and 2 interceptions. Carmichael showed great instincts as well as the ability to drop into coverage. He will have to be relied on to take a much greater amount of snaps.
Chris Holmes also returns as a 6’2, 215 pound, redshirt sophomore, who played in all 13 games last year with four starts. He amassed 30 total tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup. Holmes is a sideline to sideline player with size and speed. He has the tools to be a good linebacker and the increased snaps he will receive should show this.
Dwayne Norman, a 6’1, 210 pound, senior returns as a player who has primarily played in the secondary his whole career but now looks to take some snaps at outside linebacker. Dominic McDonald, a 6’2, 240 pound, sophomore and Tinashe Bere, a 6’1, 220 pound, redshirt freshman as players from last year’s team with no game experience. These players will primarily provide depth and hopefully they will not be relied upon when the season starts.
The real intrigue at the position comes from 4-star true freshman Ben Humphreys, the future of the Blue Devils’ linebacker corps. Humphreys hails from prestigious Mater Dei High School, in Santa Ana, California. He is everything one can ask for in a linebacker as he is 6’2 who can move all over the field whether it be dropping in coverage or stopping the run. A freshman Kelby Brown is what I would compare him to and I would expect him to play major snaps his first year.
Joe Giles-Harris also comes in as a true freshman as a likely redshirt candidate.
ACC Rank: 7th
The linebacker corps hinges on the health of Kelby Brown. If he returns to form, then this group should be very solid. If he is forced to miss any extended time or is not the player he once was then this ranking could fall rapidly. Since the Blue Devils play a 4-2-5 defensive alignment the linebacker corps does not need to be very deep as only two start. Brown and Holmes will start with Carmichael, Norman and hopefully Humphreys rotating.