Duke Football: Quarterbacks – Upgrade or Downgrade?
By Tyler Young
How does Duke replace top-10 pick Daniel Jones?
With the season right around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the roster for the Blue Devils and see where everything stands. Which positions upgraded? Which positions are taking a step back this year? We’ll go through and take a look at each group and see what the outlook is for the upcoming season. First, let’s take a look at the quarterbacks.
Duke coach David Cutcliffe has developed the reputation as a QB Guru, having placed many into the NFL. Cutcliffe has coached seven quarterbacks who later went on the play on Sundays. The group is highlighted by a pair of Super Bowl winning brothers in Peyton and Eli Manning, whom he coached at Tennessee and Ole Miss, respectfully.
This season is different though, Cutcliffe must do yeoman’s work on the coaching side to get a young group ready to compete in the always enigmatic Coastal Division. That said, If there is a coach in the country that could create a successful QB’s group out of so little game experience, it’s Cutcliffe.
His experience coaching the likes of the Manning brothers, as well as Heath Shuler, Erik Ainge, Thad Lewis, Sean Renfree, and most recently Daniel Jones, should give confidence to doubtful Blue Devils fans that the most important position on the field is in good hands. It is entirely possible that the next name on this list could come from the young group of arms currently residing in Durham. But, we’ll leave that for the future to decide, let’s take a look at last season.