Once an all-ACC pick, this Duke player is opting out to prepare for NFL
Having completed an inspiring comeback from a hip injury to return to play in two games this season, Duke cornerback Mark Gilbert will now focus on the NFL.
Gilbert, a Fayetteville native, announced Monday he is opting out for the remainder of this season to prepare for next year’s NFL Draft.
Duke coach David Cutcliffe said Monday he’d met and discussed the situation with Gilbert, who wasn’t expected to play again this season after having right foot surgery on Sept. 22.
“He’s just ready to turn his focus to next year, to his future,” Cutcliffe said. “He’s been a great contributor here. He has gone through so, so much. I certainly wish him well.”
An All-ACC selection as a sophomore in 2017 and a preseason all-league pick in 2018, Gilbert suffered a dislocated left hip during a Sept. 8, 2018, game at Northwestern that derailed his plans to enter the 2019 NFL Draft. Following two years of rehabilitation, Gilbert finally returned to play for Duke this season, recording an interception during a 26-6 loss to Boston College at Wallace Wade Stadium on Sept. 19.
However, three days later, Gilbert had surgery to remove loose bone fragments in his right foot. He has not played since and he announced his decision to end his college career via Twitter on Monday morning.
“Over the past several weeks,” Gilbert wrote, “I have sought out the sound advice and countless years of advice from my inner circle. It forced me to reflect on my future in football. More importantly, leaning upon my relationship with God has allowed me to look deeper into where my gifts and talents may lead me.”
During his Duke career, Gilbert played in 29 games, accumulating 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 17 pass breakups.
Provided Gilbert can recover from his latest physical ailment, Cutcliffe sees him as an NFL player.
“Mark is an outstanding athlete,” Cutcliffe said. “God bless him he’s been through some horrific times as far as rehab, dealing with that hip for two years. You just pray and hope that he can fully recover physically. That’s what he’s trying to focus on. If he does, there’s no question he’ll play in the NFL as a corner.”
Gilbert and Duke’s other starting cornerback to start the season, Josh Blackwell, were lost to injury after they’d played just two games. Cutcliffe said Blackwell, who had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee, isn’t expected to play again this season.
Duke loses another center for the season
Cutcliffe also said Monday that center Will Taylor, who injured a knee during Duke’s 31-20 loss at N.C. State on Oct. 17, will have surgery this week and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Taylor became Duke’s starting center during preseason practices when returning starter Jack Wohlabaugh injured his knee and needed season-ending surgery. Freshman Graham Barton replaced Taylor during the N.C. State game and is preparing to start when the Blue Devils play Charlotte at 7 p.m. Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium.
“Graham never dreamed he’d be starting at center for Duke,” Cutcliffe said. “He probably dreamed he was going to start at tackle one day. But here is and he will be our starting center. He’s an extremely talented young man. He’s got good people around him. Offensive linemen are built that way, they know when to step up for another guy.”
This story was originally published October 26, 2020 at 11:38 AM.