Duke depth chart breakdown -- WR/TE: Blue Devils have ‘interesting’ group
Duke put up some passing numbers last season that were un-Duke-like during David Cutcliffe’s time as head coach.
The Blue Devils were 12th in the ACC in passing yards per game with 179.3, ahead of only Boston College and Georgia Tech. Their 5.7 yards per attempt was the worst in the ACC. Duke, in a 5-7 season, closed with 18 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.
A part of that was quarterback play. And protection. And dropped passes. It’s also a reason Cutcliffe has taken over the play-calling as offensive coordinator, looking to smooth things out and increase efficiency.
Duke will have a new starting quarterback, Chase Brice, when it open the season Saturday at Notre Dame. Cutcliffe also is optimistic Brice will have some receivers capable of getting separation with defenders, fighting for those 50/50 balls and coming down with them.
The Blue Davis have some proven receivers in sophomore Jalon Calhoun and tight end Noah Gray. They believe Jake Bobo is capable of having a breakout season. Others are waiting for their chance.
Cutcliffe has called the receiving corps “interesting.” That was an interesting choice of words, possibly indicating the head coach is intrigued by the possibilities but also a bit unsure how it might all unfold.
Who is expected to start?
When in doubt, when being pressured, look for No. 87. That happened a lot last season as Gray, a 6-4, 240-pound senior, grabbed 51 passes for 392 yards and three scores.
Gray led all ACC tight ends in receptions and was second among Power 5 conference tight ends. Chosen second-team All-ACC, he also was a second-team Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America.
While Gray was steady last season, Calhoun gave the Blue Devils some big plays as a freshman. He led ACC freshmen with 46 catches, finishing with 420 yards and four touchdowns, and caught two or more passes in 10 games.
Calhoun’s 49-yard touchdown grab in the season finale against Miami was Duke’s longest receiving TD of the year. Calhoun also made the most of his one passing attempt, throwing for a 25-yard touchdown against Virginia Tech, so there’s that threat, too.
Bobo is another big target at 6-5 and 225 pounds. The junior missed the first three games of the 2019 season with a broken clavicle and is looking to put together a complete season.
Damond Philyaw-Johnson caught just two passes for 31 yards last season but could emerge as a big-play kind of guy.
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Who are the key reserves?
Eli Pancol, a 6-3 sophomore, broke in last season and showed potential. Darrell Harding Jr. made the most of his eight catches as a freshman in 2019, averaging 16.25 yards a reception. Dennis Smith, listed as Bobo’s backup, should see plenty of game action and freshman Jontavis Robertson, No. 1 on the roster, could have an early impact.
Who might surprise us?
Philyaw-Johnson has shown his speed and elusiveness as a kick returner and has been named to the 2020 preseason All-ACC team as a specialist. Could he emerge as a stretch-the-field kind of receiver?
What are the group’s strengths?
Cutcliffe often praises the work of assistant coach Trooper Taylor with the receiving corps and his ability to help them grow, better understand the offense, better understand opposing defenses. Gray is dependable, Calhoun is looking to back up a strong freshman season with a better sophomore year and Bobo has the potential. Brice has guys to throw to and it’s up to Cutcliffe to come up with the right schemes.
What are the group’s weaknesses?
Who is the big-play receiver? Who has the explosiveness? Who will make the clutch catch in pressure situations? The Blue Devils had two experienced receivers, Scott Bracey and Aaron Young, hit the NCAA Transfer Portal and leave after last season. Things this season could be, as Cutcliffe put it, interesting.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
