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Duke Quarterback Thomas Sirk Announces Decision to Transfer

By Chris Brown

Dec 26, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Thomas Sirk (1) passes the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter in the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Devils won 44-41 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Thomas Sirk (1) passes the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the third quarter in the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Devils won 44-41 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Redshirt senior quarterback Thomas Sirk has decided to transfer from Duke play in his sixth season of NCAA eligibility at another college football program.

Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk announced he will transfer from the university to play for his final season of eligibility. The NCAA awarded Sirk an additional sixth year of eligibility after he was forced to miss the entirety of last season due to a torn Achilles during the offseason.

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We believe Thomas Sirk should go down as one of the top players in Duke Football history after making a huge impact on the program. He holds program records in most consecutive passes without an interception, most offensive plays in a season, most rushing yards and TDs in a bowl game, and more. He’s also Top 5 in rushing TDs, 100+ rushing yard games for a QB, and winning percentage.

Sirk led the Blue Devils to their first bowl victory since 1961 earning Co-MVP honors in the 2015 Pinstripe Bowl after leading a Duke comeback and overtime win. Unfortunately the 6-4 dual threat QB struggled with injuries, sitting out for the 2013 and 2016 seasons due to Achilles tendon injuries. Head coach David Cutcliffe also acknowledges Sirk’s major impact on the program, describing him as the “ultimate teammate” and saying:

"“On the field, I don’t think we’ve had a player with a greater combination of toughness and competitiveness, and his impact on our program has extended from the field, into both the classroom and locker room and beyond. The greatest thing I can say about Thomas is that he earned the respect from every player, coach and staff member within our program by achieving levels of character and spirit exemplified by only the best of the best.”"

Thomas Sirk was an under-recruited prospect from Glen St. Mary, FL, but worked hard to become one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Sirk was expected to be one of the top players in the conference last season before re-injuring his Achilles right before the season began. The emergence of redshirt freshman QB Daniel Jones as a starter most likely left little to no playing time for Sirk, who would have probably been a backup for Duke.

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Thomas Sirk will transfer with two degrees from Duke. Despite his decision to transfer, Sirk should always be loved by Blue Devil fans and considered one of the program’s top players. No matter where he ends up, Sirk notes he “will forever remain DukeGang” and “will always call Duke University home”. We wish the best for Thomas Sirk in his recovery and the rest of his playing career and appreciate the legacay he left with the Duke Football program.

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