Duke football: Blue Devils return two of highest graded pass rushers
The Duke football team is looking to return to the postseason in 2020, and the Blue Devils should lean on a strong pass rush with two of the best players in the country.
Pending there is a 2020 college football season, the Duke Blue Devils could be a major sleeper, not only in the ACC but across the country.
Not to infer that the Blue Devils could compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff or challenge Clemson for the ACC crown, but a fun and competitive season could be on the horizon in Durham.
More from Ball Durham
- Duke basketball: The architect behind digital dominance
- Duke basketball prioritizing frontcourt prospects in 2025
- Duke basketball: Unmasking the hate for the Blue Devils
- Duke basketball: Countdown to Craziness lands another huge visitor
- Duke basketball fills final open scholarship
A main reason for that optimism is that David Cutcliffe will be calling the plays for Clemson transfer quarterback Chase Brice while having a stout defense to lean on with two of the best pass rushers in the country.
Pro Football Focus College updated the pass-rushing grades for the top returning edge defenders in Power 5 conferences, and the leader of the pack was Chris Rumph II of the Duke Blue Devils.
Also among the eight players ranked was Rumph’s teammate, Victor Dimukeje.
In between the pair of Blue Devils is Jacub Panasiuk of Michigan State, Jamar Watson of Kentucky, Wyatt Hubert of Kansas State, Malik Herring of Georgia, and Jayson Oweh of Penn State, and rounding out the group is Marcus Valdez of Boston College.
Chris Rumph II will be entering his third, and possibly final, season in Durham after posting 47 total tackles, 13.5 for a loss, and a career-high 6.5 sacks.
Top returning Power 5 edge defenders in pass-rushing grade:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 15, 2020
1. Chris Rumph II, Duke
2. Jacub Panasiuk, MSU
3. Jamar Watson, Kentucky
4. Wyatt Hubert, Kansas St
5. Malik Herrin, Georgia
6. Jayson Oweh, Penn State
7. Victor Dimukeje, Duke
8. Marcus Valdez, Boston College pic.twitter.com/4rQI8fHnvV
The Gainesville, Florida native was also named to the All-ACC team and a Second Team All-American according to Sports Illustrated.
Victor Dimukeje will be in his senior season with the Blue Devils and has been the model of consistency in his first three seasons.
ALSO READ: Duke makes Top-10 for Class of 2021 Florida prospect
The Baltimore, Maryland native tied a career-high with 41 tackles and set a new career-high with 9.5 tackles for a loss and shattered his career-high with 8.5 sacks.
Pending all things start on schedule for the 2020 season, Chris Rumph and Victor Dimukeje will be on the field on September 5 when Duke opens the season against Middle Tennessee State at Wallace Wade Stadium.