1 hr. ago
Much like his colleague Jon Scheyer, Duke head football coach Manny Diaz has let it be known that all starting jobs and playing time are open, no matter how much of a veteran or how talented you might be.
That sits just fine with defensive lineman Kevin O'Connor, who is coming off a sophomore season in which he recorded 11 total tackles, one tackle for a loss and four quarterback hurries.
"He's made that clear to everybody on the defense throughout the spring and summer," O'Connor said. "I think it's breeding competition and breeding excellence. Everyone is scratching and clawing to get time, so it's a great place to be, in my opinion. Everyone is scratching and clawing to get better every day, and I think it's great for the overall well-being of the team."
Duke's defensive line has to replace Vincent Anthony Jr. and Wesley Williams from last season, and although O'Connor spent most of his time playing on the outside, he's now seeing time on the interior of the line. But for the Easton, Md., native, he knows he just has to be himself thanks to the advice of former defensive coordinator Harland Bower, who left for the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
"One thing Coach Bower actually said to me before he went to Baltimore was, 'You don't want to be the next VJ or Wes. You want to be the next Kevin,'" O'Connor said. "For Tyshon, he wants to be the next Tyshon. It's not about filling in someone else's shoes. It's you stepping up to the plate and doing what you need to do."
#time #next #tyshon #much
That sits just fine with defensive lineman Kevin O'Connor, who is coming off a sophomore season in which he recorded 11 total tackles, one tackle for a loss and four quarterback hurries.
"He's made that clear to everybody on the defense throughout the spring and summer," O'Connor said. "I think it's breeding competition and breeding excellence. Everyone is scratching and clawing to get time, so it's a great place to be, in my opinion. Everyone is scratching and clawing to get better every day, and I think it's great for the overall well-being of the team."
Duke's defensive line has to replace Vincent Anthony Jr. and Wesley Williams from last season, and although O'Connor spent most of his time playing on the outside, he's now seeing time on the interior of the line. But for the Easton, Md., native, he knows he just has to be himself thanks to the advice of former defensive coordinator Harland Bower, who left for the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
"One thing Coach Bower actually said to me before he went to Baltimore was, 'You don't want to be the next VJ or Wes. You want to be the next Kevin,'" O'Connor said. "For Tyshon, he wants to be the next Tyshon. It's not about filling in someone else's shoes. It's you stepping up to the plate and doing what you need to do."
#time #next #tyshon #much
12 days ago
The defensive back seven was decimated by injuries in 2025 so if one thing could change for 2026 better health would be at the top of the list. If there is a silver lining to last season's injury cloud, it is that lots of players had to step up and in the process they gained invaluable experience.
Continuing with the approach of looking at returning talent, portal acquisitions and incoming true freshmen, let's start with the linebackers which should be a position of strength due to all the returning experience and talent.
Luke Mergott started 2025 as a reserve but ended the season as a star with game sealing interceptions in both the ACC Championship Game and the Sun Bowl. Mergott recorded 90 tackles, which was the second most by a Blue Devil during the 2025 season.
Four additional linebackers with significant experience return: Nick Morris, Jr. (785 career snaps), Kendall Johnson (648 career snaps), Bradley Gompers (190 career snaps) and Elliot Schaper (118 career snaps). Those snaps are not just raw numbers but rather represent much production. The linebacker position was hurt by injuries in 2025. Can these experienced and talented players stay healthy? The talent and experience are there if the players can remain on the field.
Defensive end is another position where Duke will be relying on returning talent. Tyshon Reed, Kevin O'Connor, Kobe Smith, Bryce Davis and Semaj Turner have only one start between them but they have combined to play 2,042 snaps over 100 games. These experienced players must step up into the starters role in 2026.
#returning #position
Continuing with the approach of looking at returning talent, portal acquisitions and incoming true freshmen, let's start with the linebackers which should be a position of strength due to all the returning experience and talent.
Luke Mergott started 2025 as a reserve but ended the season as a star with game sealing interceptions in both the ACC Championship Game and the Sun Bowl. Mergott recorded 90 tackles, which was the second most by a Blue Devil during the 2025 season.
Four additional linebackers with significant experience return: Nick Morris, Jr. (785 career snaps), Kendall Johnson (648 career snaps), Bradley Gompers (190 career snaps) and Elliot Schaper (118 career snaps). Those snaps are not just raw numbers but rather represent much production. The linebacker position was hurt by injuries in 2025. Can these experienced and talented players stay healthy? The talent and experience are there if the players can remain on the field.
Defensive end is another position where Duke will be relying on returning talent. Tyshon Reed, Kevin O'Connor, Kobe Smith, Bryce Davis and Semaj Turner have only one start between them but they have combined to play 2,042 snaps over 100 games. These experienced players must step up into the starters role in 2026.
#returning #position
1 month ago
Penn State football will have a completely overhauled roster to get to know in 2026 under new head coach Matt Campbell. Following one of the most active offseasons in recent memory for Penn State with a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, fans will have a lot of catching up to do in getting to know this year's Penn State roster. Fortunately, not every face will be brand new to fans. Regardless, we will be here to give you a fresh overview of every player on the roster for the 2026 season with a series of player profiles.
From all of the returning players, a long list of new faces from the transfer portal, and incoming recruits from the Class of 2026, we will have you covered with this year's player profiles for the Penn State roster. Here is a quick look at offensive lineman Tyshon Huff for the 2026 season.
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Height: 6-4
Weight: 292
From all of the returning players, a long list of new faces from the transfer portal, and incoming recruits from the Class of 2026, we will have you covered with this year's player profiles for the Penn State roster. Here is a quick look at offensive lineman Tyshon Huff for the 2026 season.
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Height: 6-4
Weight: 292
