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Duke football preseason awards and watch list tracker ahead of 2025 season
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- Duke football preseason awards and watch list tracker ahead of 2025 season
With the 2025 college football season quickly approaching, preseason watchlists have begun pouring in, with plenty of Duke football players receiving recognition.
Here is a look at each national award that has placed a Duke player on its watchlist:
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This story will be updated.
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Unitas Golden Arm Watch List: QB Darian Mensah
Darian Mensah was named to the Unitas Golden Arm Watch List on Aug. 19, which is presented annually to the top senior or upperclassmen college football quarterback.
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List: CB Chandler Rivers, S Terry Moore
Cornerback Chandler Rivers and safety Terry Moore were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List on Aug. 11, which is annually presented to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
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Davey O'Brien Award Watch List: QB Darian Mensah
Tulane transfer and now Duke quarterback Darian Mensah was named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List on Aug. 7. The award is annually presented to the nation's top college quarterback and it is the oldest, most prestigious quarterback award.
Doak Walker Award Watch List: RB Jaquez Moore
Running back Jaquez Moore was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List on Aug. 5, which is awarded to college football's top running back.
Mannelly Award Watch List: LS Curtis Cooper
Graduate student Curtis Cooper was named to the Mannelly Award Watch List on Aug. 4, which honors the best college football long snapper.
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Wuerffel Trophy Watch List: CB Chandler Rivers
Senior cornerback Chandler Rivers received more preseason recognition, being named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List on July 31. The award is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
Hornung Award Watch List: RB Peyton Jones
Junior running back Peyton Jones was named to the Hornung Award Watch List on July 31, awarded to the most versatile player in college football. Jones returns as Duke 's second-leading rusher from 2024.
Thorpe Award Watch List: Duke football 's CB Chandler Rivers, S Terry Moore
Cornerback Chandler Rivers and safety Terry Moore were named to the Thorpe Award Watch List on July 30, which is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on field performance, athletic ability and character.
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Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Duke football's CB Chandler Rivers
The senior cornerback was named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List on July 29, which honors the top defensive player in the country by the Football Writers Association of America. Rivers returns after starting all 13 games for Duke in 2024 with 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions and surrendering 13 completions. He is also a returning All-American and First Team All-ACC selection and enters the season tabbed as Pro Football Focus' No. 5 returning cornerback and ESPN's No. 7 defensive back.
Outland Trophy Watch List: Duke football OL Brian Parker II
Redshirt junior Brian Parker II was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List on July 29, honoring the nation's top interior lineman by the FWAA. Parker II was a Second Team All-ACC honoree in 2024, started in all 13 of Duke's games last year, 12 at right tackle and one at left tackle. Parker II enters the 2024 season tabbed as the No. 9 returning offensive lineman per PFF.
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East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List: Duke football's CB Chandler Rivers, DE Wesley Williams and more
A total of nine Blue Devils were selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List, which names 1,000 college football players that are deemed eligible for the annual East-West Shrine Bowl along with the NFL Draft. Among the Blue Devils named to the list were cornerback Chandler Rivers, defensive end Wesley Williams, defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr., offensive lineman Matt Craycraft, quarterback Darian Mensah, safety Terry Moore, offensive lineman Brian Parker II, offensive lineman Justin Pickett and safety Caleb Weaver.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke football: Preseason awards and watch list tracker
