Story by
Duke Defensive Line Reloads With Fresh Faces After Title Run
- Story by
- Duke Defensive Line Reloads With Fresh Faces After Title Run
Photo by: Jim Dedmon
Big Changes on the Front Line
Change is the main story for Duke football as they look toward 2026. The Blue Devils just lost four starters from the team that won the ACC championship last year. That's a massive hole to fill on the defensive line. But the staff isn't panicking. They plan to reload with a mix of returning players, new transfers, and fresh talent.
Advertisement
The question on every fan's mind is who will step into the starting roles. According to Yahoo Sports CFB, the coaching staff has a clear vision for the rotation. They have the depth to make this work, but the pressure is on the new faces to perform right away.
Who Gets the First Start?
Bryce Davis is the name to watch on the edge. Following his appearance in 12 games during his true freshman year, he targets a breakout sophomore season. Davis recorded 10 tackles and a pass deflection in those games. He holds the title of the highest-rated recruit in program history . His mix of speed and power makes him a natural fit for the edge.
Inside the line, things look different. Owen Wafle is expected to start after transferring from Michigan and Penn State . Per Yahoo Sports CFB, Wafle is a former four-star recruit who has seen very limited action so far. He has only played in nine games with four tackles total. He needs to find his spot quickly.
Advertisement
Stability comes from Preston Watson . He enters his third year and has played in all 27 games over his first two seasons. Watson has 21 combined tackles and four stops for loss. He will start opposite Wafle. Tyshon Reed is the other key returnee. He also played in all 27 games last season and finished with 22 tackles. Together, Watson and Reed give the defense some needed continuity.
Depth and New Blood
Having a strong starter is great, but a good defense needs a deep bench. Duke brings back O'Connor, Anderson, Smith, Turner, and Onuoha. All five saw time last season and played in at least 13 games each. They are reliable options when the starters need a rest.
The team also added a transfer from Dartmouth named Dakota Quiñonez. He will push for playing time in the rotation. Then there are the incoming freshmen. Cain, Cannon, and Umeh are new to the college game. They might be green at the start, but they have a chance to develop into future stars for the line.
Manny Diaz's defense relies on rotation to keep players fresh (a strategy that worked well during the championship run).
