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Duke Spring Football Notebook: Pads On and Familiar Faces
3/31/2025 7:32:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – With five practice sessions in the books, the Duke football team has completed more than a quarter of the spring workout period. The Blue Devils held three practices last week, including their first in full pads.Â
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Duke's spring game will be at 12 noon on Saturday, April 19.Â
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FIREPOWER RETURNS OUTSIDE
In 2025, Duke returns two starting defensive ends – Vincent Anthony Jr. and Wesley Williams – who combined for 73 tackles, 23.0 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and 22 quarterback pressures. Williams' 7.5 sacks are the eighth most in a year in program history while Anthony Jr.'s 13 quarterback pressures rank as the seventh most in a Duke campaign.
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"I think the biggest thing is the continuity," defensive ends coach Harland Bower said. "You have guys who you've been working with for three or four years now. They understand two things. First, they understand I love them, and I understand they love me. When you love people, and they love you back, you can go to different levels in this process. You work so hard each and every day. They understand what I want and what I'm asking for and vice versa. That's the biggest thing. Second, kind of sentimentally for me, is in my experience of coaching 16 years now, (until this season) I've never been able to coach a guy from his first day on campus to his last day on campus. For me, that's something that really hits me in the heart. It's been a special deal for me."
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In addition to their two returning starters, the Blue Devils bring back rising redshirt sophomore Kevin O'Connor, who played in the first seven games of last season before an injury, and rising sophomore Tyshon Reed, who played in all 13 games and was one of four true freshmen to earn a letter.
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"Kevin O'Connor got a chance to play in the fall and really had a positive effect in some games," Bower added. "To see him grow as a young player has been awesome. Semaj Turner is coming back from a little nick last year. He's having a good spring so far. It's really cool to see those guys playing. Tyshon Reed and Kobe Smith are two young guys coming on and coming into their own. They're building roles for themselves on our team. That's been nice. Then you have the new freshman here in Bryce Davis. It has been really fun watching him run around."
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FREEMAN BACK FOR FIFTH SEASON IN DURHAM
Rising redshirt senior linebacker Tre Freeman is now the elder statesman in the linebacker room. As part of that new role, he is aiming to build confidence within his room, and the defense as a whole, because he knows the Blue Devils will need every person in order to be successful this fall.Â
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"Last year we did so many great things, and we still made a lot of mistakes," Freeman said of the defense's potential for 2025. "We missed a lot of plays. I know there's another level we can go to. That's really fascinating. I really want to see us get to it."Â
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Freeman was an Honorable Mention All-ACC selection after booking 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one caused fumble, two pass breakups and three QB pressures in 2024. He tallied one of Duke's key turnovers during the season, sealing the victory against North Carolina with an interception that allowed Duke to run out the clock and bring the Victory Bell back to Durham. This spring, Freeman is looking to improve his game.Â
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"Playing with a lot of confidence," Freeman said of one of his spring goals. "Trusting that I know what to do and what's coming at me. And I'd say my run defense. I want to be stepping up on run defense."Â
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BROWN LOOKING FOR MORE
Rising redshirt sophomore wide receiver Que'Sean Brown heads into his third season with the Blue Devils after an impressive first campaign on the field. He finished fourth in Duke history for receptions by a freshman (41) and fifth in receiving yards (445) with his rookie-year totals.Â
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"I want to be more of a leader on the field and in practice," Brown said of steps he wants to take this spring. "I want to contribute more. Last year I had a little role. I want to grow that role and be more helpful to my team."
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Brown also looks to aid a wide receiver room that lost two of its primary targets from 2024 with the graduations of Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol. Moore and Pancol were Third Team All-ACC honorees in 2024 and went through Duke's Pro Day last Monday, March 24.Â
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"It has been pretty smooth," Brown said of the new-look wide receiver room. "We're getting to know each other and trying to build that chemistry again. Me and Sahmir Hagans are looked at as the older guys in the room, which I'm trying to get used to. Coming from being a younger guy last year to the older guy this year is kind of a big move. But I'm moving along pretty well. I'm getting some knowledge from Sahmir. He's teaching me a few things of how I can be helpful to the younger guys."Â Â
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PRO DAY COMPLETE
Duke held its annual Pro Day last Monday. Fifteen former Blue Devils participated with linebacker Cameron Bergeron, linebacker Clayton Burton, defensive tackle Kendy Charles, tight end Nicky Dalmolin, cornerback Tre'Shon Devones, linebacker Alex Howard, quarterback Cole Kennon, offensive lineman Caleb Krings, wide receiver Jordan Moore, linebacker Ozzie Nicholas, wide receiver Eli Pancol, cornerback Joshua Pickett, wide receiver Jontavis Robertson, defensive end Ryan Smith and safety Jaylen Stinson.
ÂGallery: (3-25-2025) 2025 Pro Day
BLACKWELL BACK WITH BEARS
With the first wave of NFL movement complete, former Duke cornerback Joshua Blackwell signed a two-year contract extension with the Chicago Bears.Â
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Blackwell has appeared in 43 career games for the Bears since joining Chicago in 2022. Blackwell's 22 total special teams tackles since 2022 are the most by any Bears special teamer over the last three seasons.Â
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Last year, Blackwell saw action in all 17 games, totaling seven special teams tackles. In Chicago's Week 18 road victory over Green Bay, Blackwell secured a 94-yard punt return touchdown, the first punt return touchdown by a member of the Bears since 2021. Blackwell's return registered as the second-longest punt return touchdown in the NFL in 2024 and tied for the third-longest punt return touchdown by a Bear since at least 1948.
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PATRICK HEADS TO CINCINNATI
Former Duke offensive lineman Lucas Patrick landed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.Â
All-ACC selection and four-year starter Victor Dimukeje agreed to a contract with the New York Giants.
Former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones also agreed to a new deal, signing a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jones completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 14,582 yards with 70 touchdowns, 47 interceptions and a passer rating of 84.3 over six seasons (2019-2024) with the New York Giants. Jones also gained 2,179 yards on 399 rushing attempts (5.5 yards/attempt) with 15 rushing scores while with the Giants.
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A 2019 first-round pick (No. 6 overall), Jones also started two playoff games while with the Giants. New York released Jones in November of 2024, and he signed to the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad a few days later. Minnesota then signed Jones to their active roster for the 2024 playoffs, though he did not see game action.
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BACK ON CAMPUS
Jones and former Duke wide receiver Jake Bobo, now a Seattle Seahawk, were on campus last week and spent time with current Blue Devils, as well as getting in some work on the practice fields.
#GoDuke
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Duke's spring game will be at 12 noon on Saturday, April 19.Â
Â
FIREPOWER RETURNS OUTSIDE
In 2025, Duke returns two starting defensive ends – Vincent Anthony Jr. and Wesley Williams – who combined for 73 tackles, 23.0 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and 22 quarterback pressures. Williams' 7.5 sacks are the eighth most in a year in program history while Anthony Jr.'s 13 quarterback pressures rank as the seventh most in a Duke campaign.
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"I think the biggest thing is the continuity," defensive ends coach Harland Bower said. "You have guys who you've been working with for three or four years now. They understand two things. First, they understand I love them, and I understand they love me. When you love people, and they love you back, you can go to different levels in this process. You work so hard each and every day. They understand what I want and what I'm asking for and vice versa. That's the biggest thing. Second, kind of sentimentally for me, is in my experience of coaching 16 years now, (until this season) I've never been able to coach a guy from his first day on campus to his last day on campus. For me, that's something that really hits me in the heart. It's been a special deal for me."
Â
In addition to their two returning starters, the Blue Devils bring back rising redshirt sophomore Kevin O'Connor, who played in the first seven games of last season before an injury, and rising sophomore Tyshon Reed, who played in all 13 games and was one of four true freshmen to earn a letter.
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"Kevin O'Connor got a chance to play in the fall and really had a positive effect in some games," Bower added. "To see him grow as a young player has been awesome. Semaj Turner is coming back from a little nick last year. He's having a good spring so far. It's really cool to see those guys playing. Tyshon Reed and Kobe Smith are two young guys coming on and coming into their own. They're building roles for themselves on our team. That's been nice. Then you have the new freshman here in Bryce Davis. It has been really fun watching him run around."
Â
FREEMAN BACK FOR FIFTH SEASON IN DURHAM
Rising redshirt senior linebacker Tre Freeman is now the elder statesman in the linebacker room. As part of that new role, he is aiming to build confidence within his room, and the defense as a whole, because he knows the Blue Devils will need every person in order to be successful this fall.Â
Â
"Last year we did so many great things, and we still made a lot of mistakes," Freeman said of the defense's potential for 2025. "We missed a lot of plays. I know there's another level we can go to. That's really fascinating. I really want to see us get to it."Â
Â
Freeman was an Honorable Mention All-ACC selection after booking 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one caused fumble, two pass breakups and three QB pressures in 2024. He tallied one of Duke's key turnovers during the season, sealing the victory against North Carolina with an interception that allowed Duke to run out the clock and bring the Victory Bell back to Durham. This spring, Freeman is looking to improve his game.Â
Â
"Playing with a lot of confidence," Freeman said of one of his spring goals. "Trusting that I know what to do and what's coming at me. And I'd say my run defense. I want to be stepping up on run defense."Â
Â
BROWN LOOKING FOR MORE
Rising redshirt sophomore wide receiver Que'Sean Brown heads into his third season with the Blue Devils after an impressive first campaign on the field. He finished fourth in Duke history for receptions by a freshman (41) and fifth in receiving yards (445) with his rookie-year totals.Â
Â
"I want to be more of a leader on the field and in practice," Brown said of steps he wants to take this spring. "I want to contribute more. Last year I had a little role. I want to grow that role and be more helpful to my team."
Â
Brown also looks to aid a wide receiver room that lost two of its primary targets from 2024 with the graduations of Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol. Moore and Pancol were Third Team All-ACC honorees in 2024 and went through Duke's Pro Day last Monday, March 24.Â
Â
"It has been pretty smooth," Brown said of the new-look wide receiver room. "We're getting to know each other and trying to build that chemistry again. Me and Sahmir Hagans are looked at as the older guys in the room, which I'm trying to get used to. Coming from being a younger guy last year to the older guy this year is kind of a big move. But I'm moving along pretty well. I'm getting some knowledge from Sahmir. He's teaching me a few things of how I can be helpful to the younger guys."Â Â
Â
PRO DAY COMPLETE
Duke held its annual Pro Day last Monday. Fifteen former Blue Devils participated with linebacker Cameron Bergeron, linebacker Clayton Burton, defensive tackle Kendy Charles, tight end Nicky Dalmolin, cornerback Tre'Shon Devones, linebacker Alex Howard, quarterback Cole Kennon, offensive lineman Caleb Krings, wide receiver Jordan Moore, linebacker Ozzie Nicholas, wide receiver Eli Pancol, cornerback Joshua Pickett, wide receiver Jontavis Robertson, defensive end Ryan Smith and safety Jaylen Stinson.
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BLACKWELL BACK WITH BEARS
With the first wave of NFL movement complete, former Duke cornerback Joshua Blackwell signed a two-year contract extension with the Chicago Bears.Â
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More like Josh BACKwell ??
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 6, 2025
We have signed @JoshuaBlackwe12 to a 2-year contract extension
Blackwell has appeared in 43 career games for the Bears since joining Chicago in 2022. Blackwell's 22 total special teams tackles since 2022 are the most by any Bears special teamer over the last three seasons.Â
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Last year, Blackwell saw action in all 17 games, totaling seven special teams tackles. In Chicago's Week 18 road victory over Green Bay, Blackwell secured a 94-yard punt return touchdown, the first punt return touchdown by a member of the Bears since 2021. Blackwell's return registered as the second-longest punt return touchdown in the NFL in 2024 and tied for the third-longest punt return touchdown by a Bear since at least 1948.
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PATRICK HEADS TO CINCINNATI
Former Duke offensive lineman Lucas Patrick landed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.Â
We have signed unrestricted free agent G Lucas Patrick.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 21, 2025
??: https://t.co/lTzEHLAzxL pic.twitter.com/jp2BxI4da1
Patrick originally was a college free agent signee of Green Bay in 2016. He has played in 107 career regular-season games with 64 starts for the Packers (2017-21), Chicago Bears (2022-23) and New Orleans Saints (2024). He also has seen action in five postseason contests with three starts for Green Bay.Â
DIMUKEJE JOINS GIANTSAll-ACC selection and four-year starter Victor Dimukeje agreed to a contract with the New York Giants.
Welcome to the squad, @Vicdimukeje ?? pic.twitter.com/LuJv6IOsTX
— New York Giants (@Giants) March 21, 2025
Dimukeje has played in 55 games with eight starts since being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The outside linebacker has registered 67 tackles (42 solo), four sacks, seven tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one pass defensed across his first four seasons. In addition to his snaps on defense, Dimukeje also played at least 65 percent of Arizona's special teams snaps over the last three seasons.
Former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones also agreed to a new deal, signing a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jones completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 14,582 yards with 70 touchdowns, 47 interceptions and a passer rating of 84.3 over six seasons (2019-2024) with the New York Giants. Jones also gained 2,179 yards on 399 rushing attempts (5.5 yards/attempt) with 15 rushing scores while with the Giants.
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A 2019 first-round pick (No. 6 overall), Jones also started two playoff games while with the Giants. New York released Jones in November of 2024, and he signed to the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad a few days later. Minnesota then signed Jones to their active roster for the 2024 playoffs, though he did not see game action.
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BACK ON CAMPUS
Jones and former Duke wide receiver Jake Bobo, now a Seattle Seahawk, were on campus last week and spent time with current Blue Devils, as well as getting in some work on the practice fields.
#GoDuke
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