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Three Blue Devils Join NFL Teams as Undrafted Free Agents; One Invited to Rookie Minicamp
4/27/2024 11:21:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – Three former Duke football players have agreed to terms with three different NFL organizations to join as undrafted free agents, while another has been invited to rookie minicamp.
Wide receiver Jalon Calhoun has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions, while defensive tackle Ja'Mion Franklin and cornerback Al Blades Jr. have agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets, respectively. Additionally, punter Porter Wilson has been invited to the Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp.
Jalon Calhoun
In 61 career games, 58 starts, Calhoun caught 253 passes for 3,026 yards (11.97) and 17 touchdowns while rushing eight times for 14 yards (1.75) with one score. He also returned 26 punts for 258 yards (9.92) and two kickoffs for 26 yards (13.00). The All-ACC honoree in 2022 as a wide receiver, return specialist and all-purpose player, amassed 3,324 career all-purpose yards. Calhoun registered six career games with 100-plus receiving yards, carded 53 games with two-plus receptions and 28 games with five-plus catches, including a career-high 11 grabs against Wake Forest in 2022.
In 3,202 career snaps, he accounted for 53 plays of 20-plus yards (47 receiving, four punt returns, one kick return and one pass completion) and 11 touchdowns (10 receiving and one passing). Additionally over his final two seasons, 67 of his 112 receptions (.598) produced a first down.
Calhoun graduated ranking first in games with one-plus pass receptions (58) and two-plus pass receptions (53), tied for second in most seasons with 50-plus receptions (3) and most seasons with 600-plus receiving yards (3), third in games with five-plus pass receptions (28), tied for third in receptions, fourth in most receiving yards, tied for fourth in most seasons with 500-plus receiving yards (3) and most consecutive games with one-plus reception (37), sixth in most consecutive games with two-plus receptions (23), tied for sixth in most seasons with 700-plus receiving yards (2), tied for seventh in 100-yard games and in touchdown receptions of 20-plus yards, tied for eighth in receiving touchdowns, and 13th in most all-purpose yards. He also became the fourth Duke player to reach 3,000 career receiving yards and the first player to register 700 yards receiving in back-to-back seasons (2021-22) and 600-plus yards receiving in three consecutive season (2021-22-23) since T.J. Rahming in 2016 (742), 2017 (795) and 2018 (811).
Ja'Mion Franklin
The two-time National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society selection recorded 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, six pass breakups and two quarterback pressures in 50 career games. Franklin, a 2023 team captain, was selected to the AFCA Good Works Team and named a finalist for the Pop Warner College Football Award and a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy in 2023.
He booked two-plus tackles in 20 career games, including a personal-high seven stops against Wake Forest in 2023. Additionally, he was credited with fumble recoveries against Pittsburgh (2021) and Temple (2022) and carded a career-best two pass breakups against Virginia in 2022.
Last fall, Franklin was the recipient of the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year Award after starting all 13 games compiling 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and one pass breakup. He also registered two-plus tackles in eight contests, including a season-best seven tackles against Wake Forest.
Al Blades Jr.
The 2023 All-ACC selection and Academic All-ACC honoree played in 61 career games with 26 starts between the University of Miami and Duke. He registered 140 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 24 pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and one blocked punt throughout his career. Blades Jr. compiled 24 games with three-plus tackles, including a career-high eight tackles against Louisiana Tech in 2019 (Walk-On's Independence Bowl) and Florida State in 2023.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native tallied four career interceptions (two in both 2019 & 2020) and registered a career-best three pass breakups against UAB (2020), Pittsburgh (2020), and NC State (2023). He participated in four bowl games (2018 New Era Pinstripe, 2019 Walk-On's Independence, 2020 Cheez-It, and 2023 Birmingham) and played 2,895 career snaps.
Porter Wilson
The 2023 All-America selection, two-time All-ACC recipient and 2020 Freshman All-America pick was a two-time semifinalist for Ray Guy Award during his four-year Blue Devil tenure. In 49 career games, Wilson punted 214 times for 9,511 yards (44.44) with 79 boots downed inside the opponent 20-yard line against 13 touchbacks. He also carded 63 punts of 50-plus yards and registered a career-long 70-yard punt against Georgia Tech (2020) and Clemson (2023).
Additionally, Wilson punted a career-high nine times on two occasions against Virginia Tech (2020) and North Carolina (2021) and compiled 300-plus punting yards on six occasions, including a career-high 409 against Virginia Tech in 2020.
The four-time Academic All-ACC selection became the seventh player in program history to reach 9,000-plus career punting yards and graduated with the highest punting average in Duke history for a career, season (46.65 [54-2,519], 2023) and single-game (57.30 [3-172], versus Florida State 2023). He also ranked fifth in career punting yards and seventh in career punts while placing seventh in ACC history in punting average.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
Wide receiver Jalon Calhoun has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions, while defensive tackle Ja'Mion Franklin and cornerback Al Blades Jr. have agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets, respectively. Additionally, punter Porter Wilson has been invited to the Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp.
Jalon Calhoun
In 61 career games, 58 starts, Calhoun caught 253 passes for 3,026 yards (11.97) and 17 touchdowns while rushing eight times for 14 yards (1.75) with one score. He also returned 26 punts for 258 yards (9.92) and two kickoffs for 26 yards (13.00). The All-ACC honoree in 2022 as a wide receiver, return specialist and all-purpose player, amassed 3,324 career all-purpose yards. Calhoun registered six career games with 100-plus receiving yards, carded 53 games with two-plus receptions and 28 games with five-plus catches, including a career-high 11 grabs against Wake Forest in 2022.
In 3,202 career snaps, he accounted for 53 plays of 20-plus yards (47 receiving, four punt returns, one kick return and one pass completion) and 11 touchdowns (10 receiving and one passing). Additionally over his final two seasons, 67 of his 112 receptions (.598) produced a first down.
Calhoun graduated ranking first in games with one-plus pass receptions (58) and two-plus pass receptions (53), tied for second in most seasons with 50-plus receptions (3) and most seasons with 600-plus receiving yards (3), third in games with five-plus pass receptions (28), tied for third in receptions, fourth in most receiving yards, tied for fourth in most seasons with 500-plus receiving yards (3) and most consecutive games with one-plus reception (37), sixth in most consecutive games with two-plus receptions (23), tied for sixth in most seasons with 700-plus receiving yards (2), tied for seventh in 100-yard games and in touchdown receptions of 20-plus yards, tied for eighth in receiving touchdowns, and 13th in most all-purpose yards. He also became the fourth Duke player to reach 3,000 career receiving yards and the first player to register 700 yards receiving in back-to-back seasons (2021-22) and 600-plus yards receiving in three consecutive season (2021-22-23) since T.J. Rahming in 2016 (742), 2017 (795) and 2018 (811).
Earned it ?? @J5EA_ pic.twitter.com/5wcv2Gctmn
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 28, 2024
Ja'Mion Franklin
The two-time National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society selection recorded 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, six pass breakups and two quarterback pressures in 50 career games. Franklin, a 2023 team captain, was selected to the AFCA Good Works Team and named a finalist for the Pop Warner College Football Award and a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy in 2023.
He booked two-plus tackles in 20 career games, including a personal-high seven stops against Wake Forest in 2023. Additionally, he was credited with fumble recoveries against Pittsburgh (2021) and Temple (2022) and carded a career-best two pass breakups against Virginia in 2022.
Last fall, Franklin was the recipient of the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year Award after starting all 13 games compiling 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and one pass breakup. He also registered two-plus tackles in eight contests, including a season-best seven tackles against Wake Forest.
.@Jamion_Franklin is staying home ?? pic.twitter.com/qdAzdtD7Rc
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 28, 2024
Al Blades Jr.
The 2023 All-ACC selection and Academic All-ACC honoree played in 61 career games with 26 starts between the University of Miami and Duke. He registered 140 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 24 pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and one blocked punt throughout his career. Blades Jr. compiled 24 games with three-plus tackles, including a career-high eight tackles against Louisiana Tech in 2019 (Walk-On's Independence Bowl) and Florida State in 2023.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native tallied four career interceptions (two in both 2019 & 2020) and registered a career-best three pass breakups against UAB (2020), Pittsburgh (2020), and NC State (2023). He participated in four bowl games (2018 New Era Pinstripe, 2019 Walk-On's Independence, 2020 Cheez-It, and 2023 Birmingham) and played 2,895 career snaps.
New York State of Mind ?? @AlBlades_Jr pic.twitter.com/0phrCDVCTi
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 28, 2024
Porter Wilson
The 2023 All-America selection, two-time All-ACC recipient and 2020 Freshman All-America pick was a two-time semifinalist for Ray Guy Award during his four-year Blue Devil tenure. In 49 career games, Wilson punted 214 times for 9,511 yards (44.44) with 79 boots downed inside the opponent 20-yard line against 13 touchbacks. He also carded 63 punts of 50-plus yards and registered a career-long 70-yard punt against Georgia Tech (2020) and Clemson (2023).
Additionally, Wilson punted a career-high nine times on two occasions against Virginia Tech (2020) and North Carolina (2021) and compiled 300-plus punting yards on six occasions, including a career-high 409 against Virginia Tech in 2020.
The four-time Academic All-ACC selection became the seventh player in program history to reach 9,000-plus career punting yards and graduated with the highest punting average in Duke history for a career, season (46.65 [54-2,519], 2023) and single-game (57.30 [3-172], versus Florida State 2023). He also ranked fifth in career punting yards and seventh in career punts while placing seventh in ACC history in punting average.
.@jporterw is heading to Green Bay! ?? pic.twitter.com/2bxcEphXyy
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 28, 2024
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
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