Cash tops five Duke players to watch this season
We're in a golden age of Duke football, with David Cutcliffe having won a combined 19 games the past two seasons, but one monkey remains squarely on the Blue Devils' collective backs: ending that bowl drought.
Despite making the postseason in each of the past three seasons, Duke hasn't won, including this past year's loss to Arizona State in the Sun Bowl, pushing the Blue Devils' drought to 53 years since that Cotton Bowl victory over Arkansas.
Can Cutcliffe and Co. make it four straight bowls, this one ending with a victory? Duke's chances are likely going to hinge on these five players.
FIVE TO WATCH IN 2015
Jeremy Cash, S, Rs Sr.
With five starters back, the secondary is clearly the biggest strength of Duke's defense this year and Cash may be its most impressive member. The All-American and Ohio State transfer turned down the NFL to come back to Durham, where he's made 232 tackles the last two seasons and has six interceptions and caused six fumbles. The Blue Devils were 10th in the ACC last year in yards allowed per play at 5.38, but with one of the most experienced secondaries, headlined by a proven playmaker, expect those numbers to improve dramatically in 2015.
Shaquille Powell, RB Sr./Shaun Wilson, RB Soph.
This duo will also be pushed by Jela Duncan, who was reinstated after a one-year suspension and who ran for 562 yards in 2013. But we'll put the focus on Powell, whose 618 yards led the Blue Devils last year, and Wilson, second with 598. Given the question marks at so many positions on this offense, expect Duke to be heavily invested in the running game early on. That should mean plenty of chances for this group. One interesting stat to keep in mind: the Blue Devils are the only team in the ACC to bring back three runners that have more than 500 yards in their career. There may not be a 1,000-yard candidate in this crowded backfield, but Duke won't lack for potent options.
Thomas Sirk, QB, Rs Jr.
The fourth-year junior emerged from spring camp as the successor to Anthony Boone and has proven himself more than effective with his legs, averaging 5.1 yards per carry last season on 47 carries, racking up 238 yards and eight touchdowns while playing in short-yardage situations. His passing stats are limited, with 14 attempts last year, though he completed 10 of them for 67 yards and three scores. Not that he's replacing a big-number QB in Boone, whose 5.69 yards per average last season were the lowest of any of Cutcliffe's passers at Duke, but with Jamison Crowder and Issac Blakeney gone, it may put more pressure on Sirk to be precise as he breaks in new pass-catchers. Also in his favor: Cutcliffe ha called Sirk the fastest QB he's ever coached.
Chris Taylor, WR, Rs Fr.
Duke lost 49 percent of its production at wide receiver from a year ago, and while there is a number of options that could fill the void -- Max McCaffrey and his 37 catches for 385 yards and three TDs, junior Johnell Barnes and redshirt freshmen Trevon Lee among them -- Taylor could be in a position to help make up some of that ground. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, he has size and made a big impression this spring, generating buzz as one of the conference's potential breakout candidates.
Matt Skura, C, Rs Sr.
The Blue Devils are down to big pieces along its offensive line in All-American guard Laken Tomlinson and left tackle Takoby Cofield, both of whom are in NFL training camps. But they do bring back three starters, headlined by Skura. The veteran has made 27 consecutive starts and if Duke is to have a shot at following up last season, in which they led the nation in the fewest tackles for loss allowed at 3.15 per game, chances are it will hinge on Skura.
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney
