Duke football has been practicing for about a week this fall and maybe some things are starting to come into focus. But Duke offensive coordinator Kevin Johns and defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci met with the media Wednesday afternoon and neither was giving much away.
Which isn’t unusual. Coaches tend to be secretive sorts and college football coaches might be the most secretive. And we didn’t get around to meaning-of-life-issues. No discussion of conference realignment, NIL, transfer portal, or Northwestern. Head coach stuff, I suppose.
So, what did we learn?
Santucci first. I’m always intrigued by the out-of-nowhere contributor. I asked Santucci if he had anyone like that on defense and the one name we got was defensive lineman Wesley Williams. He’s a redshirt freshman, 6-3, 278.
“We feel like he’s playing winning football for us.”
He’s been listed at tackle and end at various times but right now he’s listed at defensive end, a really big defensive end compared to 260-pound R.J. Oben, 258-pound Anthony Nelson or 232-pound Ryan Smith.
Keep in mind Duke hasn’t practiced in pads yet. That’s coming this Friday, after which we might start getting some separation.
Santucci also is Duke’s linebacker coach. Last season’s standout Shaka Heyward is trying his luck at the next level and Dorian Mausi missed most of spring ball.
Santucci’s assessment of that position?
“I think fluidity is great in some instances where you’ve got a bunch of guys who are competing to fill spots. As much as we can get as many guys as possible as we feel like we can play winning football with, that’s who we want to play.”
Myles Jones (Texas A&M) and Al Blades, Jr. (Miami) are grad-student transfers augmenting the depleted defensive back positions and within the last week Duke added former Blue Devil Jeremiah Lewis, after a one-year detour at Northwestern.
Santucci said Jones and Blades have assimilated themselves well to Duke football.
“They've built relationships, meaningful ones. They are part of the team. They are great teammates,” while noting that he and Jones are comfortable with each other after their stint together at A&M and he expects that to pay dividends.
Those preseason magazines tend to rank Duke’s secondary as a weak spot. But if Jones, Blades and Lewis can blend in with holdovers like Brandon Johnson, Chandler Rivers, Jaylen Stinson, Isaiah Fisher-Smith and Cam Bergeron, then this could be one of Duke’s stronger positions.
Johns talked a lot about Riley Leonard’s development in year two as Duke’s starting QB; Johns also is Duke’s QB coach.
“Riley is special. He and I get along really well. I think we have similar values. One is our faith. We go to church together. I think we connect really well. I feel like I know how to coach him.”
The keys for Leonard? Limiting negative plays, keep the chains moving, get more comfortable staying in the pocket, do a better job of reading the game.
Johns said former QB Jordan Moore was making huge strides as a wide receiver.
“I think he’s light years ahead of where he was a year ago. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, faster, he’s more confident, he’s learning how to get off press, how to run routes.”
Johns praised his true freshmen as a group, while declining to name individuals. He did acknowledge that the freshmen who enrolled early last spring were “significantly ahead” of the freshmen just arriving for the first time.
“You almost look at them as second-year players.”
Johns also tried to give some clarity to the offensive line, where returnees Graham Barton and Maurice McIntyre are coming off injuries and no fewer than six grad-student-transfers and two redshirt freshmen will compete with the holdovers for playing time.
“I think that position is still in flux. I think we’re still trying to move people around. I think it’s way too early in camp to just name anyone in particular. But there are some new faces that we’re trying to get up to speed. We’re not slowing down for the new guys. They’re going to have to catch up.”
A reminder. Sunday is fan’s day. Details on the Duke website.
Fantastic report, thanks!
Riley could have a great year if the O line comes together. And that sure would help establish a credible (or better) running game.
Let’s hope the secondary gels.
On defense, linebacker position is worrisome. On offense, I really like hearing Jordan Moore is making strides as a receiver. We need to exploit his explosiveness.
Riley Leonard has the potential to be great, which is great for Duke football. I’m a little surprised the article didn’t mention running backs. Our running back room is deep.