Duke football: Former Blue Devil takes talents to South Beach

A former Duke football standout is trading in his snow boots for flip-flops. 

Former Duke football offensive lineman Matt Skura is making the decision most Americans would if given the opportunity, moving from Baltimore, Maryland to Miami, Florida.

As the hectic week of NFL Free Agency was well underway, the Blue Devil agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

Skura was not selected in the 2016 NFL Draft after being named to the Third Team All-ACC in 2014 and First Team All-ACC in 2015 with the Blue Devils. The offensive lineman signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft.

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He started 12 games at right guard for the Ravens in 2017 and then was shifted as the starting center in 2018 where he started all 16 games for Baltimore.

In 2019, the Pittsburgh native started the first 11 games of the season before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 12 on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams, but he would resume his starting duties to begin 2020.

However, after struggling getting snaps to quarterback Lamar Jackson in the shotgun and pistol formations in the final weeks of the season, Skura was benched, which led to his eventual departure from Baltimore.

Duke football standout ready to help new team reach playoffs.

The Miami Dolphins landed Matt Skura for $1.75 million on a one-year contract, and the club will be looking for his veteran leadership with second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

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Tagovailoa struggled as the full-time starter in Miami as Ryan Fitzpatrick needed to play in relief of the rookie quarterback in order to get the Dolphins in position to make the playoffs, but Tagovailoa fell short in Week 17 of the postseason as Fitzpatrick was ruled out because of COVID-19.

Matt Skura is anticipated to enter training camp as the starting center, and the Dolphins should challenge the Buffalo Bills for the best team in the AFC East.