Jeremy Cash Attracts the Watch-Lists
Duke safety Jeremy Cash can be found everywhere as the Preseason Watch Lists are being released. In fact he is the only representative from the North Carolina schools on the Thorpe Award and Nagurski Award lists. Combine this with his appearance on the Bednarik list and you have a guy you will be watched a lot over the coming year. The Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the nation’s best defensive back. The Bednarik and Nagurski Awards are separate awards given to the nation’s top defender
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In 2014, Cash was among the ACC’s leaders in tackles and among the nation’s leaders in forced fumbles. As a safety playing in the 4-2-5 alignment, Cash is required to make up for the absence of a third linebacker and his tackling makes up for it. He had 111 tackles last year. Ten and a half of those were for a loss, a great number for a safety. Five and a half of those were quarterback sacks.
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Hard hitting safeties may seem almost commonplace these days, but Cash plays in a division where he has to bring the pain. In a given year, Cash has to face the triple option attack of Georgia Tech, the ground attack of the Virginia Tech Hokies, and more pro-style offenses of the Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Cavaliers. With all those running games, how can you not love a safety like Cash?
Duke’s defense will have plenty of seniors to provide quality support for the offense. One player that will not have is Kelby Brown, the injured linebacker turned assistant coach. That will be one player that Cash will need help work in replacing. If Cash has another great year and adds some interceptions to the list, then he will be a prime candidate for all of the awards where he is currently on the watch list.