Despite a string of major injuries prior to the start of the season, the Duke Blue Devils have rallied to an 8-1 record and have earned themselves the number 22 ranking in the country. Head coach David Cutcliffe has done an excellent job filling the void left by two key players, and has the Blue Devils in position for yet another bowl appearance.
Starting Linebacker Kelby Brown and Tight End Braxton Deaver each suffered season ending injuries before the beginning of the 2014 campaign. Both players sustained torn ACL’s within a week of each other and were subsequently granted a sixth season by the NCAA Monday, following what would have been their redshirt senior seasons.
Brown has torn his ACL twice before, but was able to record 114 tackles a season ago, good enough for second in the ACC.
“I took a couple of weeks, probably a month, for some time to heal,” Brown said in a statement. “My inclination was to not play again. I spent a lot of time with Braxton and we helped each other through the process. Coach [David] Cutcliffe was amazing throughout the entire time; he helped me find joy in the decision. He didn’t pressure me either way. He just gave me practical advice. It is the right decision.”
Likewise, Deaver was a standout tight end for the Blue Devils last season, garnering third team All-ACC honors while catching 46 passes for 600 yards.
“I was pretty unsure about [the decision] when I got injured,” Deaver said in a statement. “Mentally and emotionally, I wasn’t really there; it was something I really had to think about. As I started to recover, I became more clear-headed about the whole situation, and after looking at my options, it was a no-brainer. I’ll be starting graduate school in the spring, and what better way to get healthy — physically, mentally and emotionally — than with my family. This place has had the biggest influence on who I am.”
The return of both players should prove to be a major boost to the program as they hope to sustain success heading into the 2015 year. The leadership employed by the duo will allow Duke to potentially return to the ACC Championship.
*Section Photo credit to Grant Halverson, Getty Images; Featured Photo credit to Bob Donnan, USA Today Sports.
