In the new era of college football, the transfer portal can be used to give and take from any program. In years when a team undergoes a head coaching change, it always feels like the turnover is magnified.
Duke has undoubtedly lost key players as Manny Diaz is set to take over for former head coach Mike Elko, who left for Texas A&M. Former quarterback Riley Leonard is now leading Notre Dame, and top pass rusher RJ Oben will join Leonard in South Bend.
However, the Blue Devils return some key players in 2024, and Manny Diaz will need them to step up as they chase their first 10-win season since 2013.
Who are the top returning Blue Devils in 2024?
Duke Blue Devils Top Returning Players
10) Sahmir Hagans, WR
If Texas transfer QB Maalik Murphy is going to fill the shoes of Riley Leonard, he’s going to need some playmakers to step up. For Duke, it will start with Sahmir Hagans, a returning starter on the outside.
Hagans saw a bit of a dip in production in 2023 after catching 31 passes for 400 yards and five TDs in 2022.
Hagans is a veteran pass catcher who has appeared in 30 career games, making 15 starts, nine of which came in 2023.
Diaz has a knack for getting the most out of his defenses, but new offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer will need vets such as Hagans to make big-time plays in 2024.
9) Wesley Williams, Edge
If Diaz is going to take Duke to another level in the ACC, it’s going to start on the defensive side of the ball. Wesley Williams will be a massive part of the Blue Devils’ defense in Diaz’s first season in Durham
The 6’3 edge rusher is a preseason All-ACC selection, and he’s coming off a 2023 season in which he recorded 39 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, one PBU, three QB pressures, and two blocked kicks.
Diaz loves to move around his edge rushers, and with his combination of speed and athleticism, along with his size, Williams could thrive in Duke’s new defensive scheme.
8) Terry Moore, SS
Unquestionably, the secondary returns the most depth in 2024 for Duke, and it will be the strongest position group for the Blue Devils.
Terry Moore was a depth piece in 2023 but showed flashes of being an impact player, given more opportunities. Well, those opportunities will be there in 2024, as Moore will most likely be Diaz’s starting strong safety.
Last season, Moore demonstrated his versatility by both pressuring the quarterback and contributing in the secondary while also returning kicks for the Blue Devils.
Moore made six starts in 2023 and registered 43 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, two PBUs, and two QB pressures. His 2.5 sacks ranked third on the team in 2023.
Moore will anchor a strong secondary unit which will be one of the best in the ACC.
7) Joshua Pickett, CB
Joining Moore in a strong secondary will be Joshua Pickett, an athletic and physical cornerback who will start at corner for the Blue Devils in 2024. Pickett only made one start in 2023 but saw action in all 13 games.
Pickett tallied 17 tackles, one INT, and two PBUs in 2023 and will see a significantly larger role in 2024.
6) Nick Morris, LB
Nick Morris will lead the linebacking corp from the middle of the field and will play a huge role in 2024 for Diaz.
The 6’3, 237-pound linebacker ranked third on the team with 61 tackles last season, playing in all 13 games for the Blue Devils.
While he started the year with just 21 tackles over the first eight games, Morris found his stride in the final stretch, recording at least seven tackles in each of the last four regular-season games. He made 11 tackles against Wake Forest and posted a season-high 12 tackles against Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale.
5) Jaylen Stinson, FS
When it was announced that Elko was leaving for Texas A&M, it appeared Jaylen Stinson would be leaving the Duke football program as well. But after the announcement that Diaz would be the next head coach at Duke, Stinson decided to pull out of the transfer portal, which is a huge win for Diaz and the Blue Devils.
The veteran Blue Devils safety had an impressive 2023, finishing with 88 total tackles, the second-highest on the team. He also broke up six passes and recorded one interception.
The athletic playmaker is all over the field and can impact the game in a variety of ways.
Diaz will rely heavily on Stinson in 2024 as he fills a big role in the Blue Devils’ strong secondary.
4) Jaquez Moore, RB
With leading rusher Jordan Waters transferring to NC State, Jaquez Moore is poised to emerge as a star in the backfield for the Blue Devils in 2024.
Moore rushed for 671 yards last season, averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry, which outpaced Waters’ 5.4 yards. Moore finished with six TDs and added four receptions for 64 yards.
The 5-foot-10, 201-pound senior running back is set to become the focal point of the offense and could emerge as one of the surprise playmakers in the ACC.
3) Chandler Rivers, CB
Judging by this list, it is obvious that the Blue Devils’ secondary is the strongest returning group in 2024, and Chandler Rivers is the most vital piece in this dynamic secondary.
Rivers played a key role at cornerback in every game last season, breaking up seven passes, grabbing one interception, and recording 39 solo tackles. A skilled defensive back, Rivers has earned a reputation as an aggressive ballhawk in coverage.
He capped off the 2023 season by winning Birmingham Bowl MVP thanks to his standout performance with two tackles for loss and three pass breakups in Duke’s season finale.
Rivers will play a major role in the secondary for coach Diaz in 2024.
2) Jordan Moore, WR
The former quarterback-turned-receiver has one final season of eligibility, and he has a chance to achieve something no Duke wide receiver has done since Jamison Crowder in 2014: surpass the 1,000-yard mark.
In 2023, Jordan Moore had a breakout campaign when he tied for fourth in the ACC with eight receiving touchdowns and ranked fifth in the conference with 62 receptions.
Overall in 2023, Moore caught 62 passes for 835 yards, following a 2022 campaign where he hauled in 60 receptions for 656 yards and five scores. It’s an impressive feat for a player who arrived on campus as a quarterback and has since become Duke’s top pass-catching threat.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 195 pounds, Moore was named second-team All-ACC in 2023 and has hopes of becoming a first-teamer in 2024.
With his experience and growing role as a leader, Moore is poised to be an integral part of the Duke offense as he connects with his new quarterback.
1) Tre Freeman, OLB
Tre Freeman earns the top spot as he will anchor the defense, which will undoubtedly be the identity of this Blue Devils team.
Freeman had a breakout season in 2023, finishing with 106 total tackles, including five tackles for loss. He recorded at least 10 tackles in five games, with standout performances of 15 tackles against NC State and 14 against North Carolina.
Freeman also secured the first interception of his career against the Wolfpack and earned a spot on the All-ACC Second Team.
Before last season, Freeman had only 21 career tackles over two seasons and just two starts to his name. However, in 2023, he solidified himself as one of the ACC’s top defenders. His impressive performance has earned him a spot on the 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List.
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