Duke Defense Preview 2025: The Dominant Pass Rush Will Keep Coming

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2025 Duke Preview
Duke Offense Breakdown 
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season 

- Manny Diaz is the head coach. The defense is going to be great, and it’s going to bring the pressure. Last year’s version was fantastic at getting into the backfield, and leading sacker Wesley Williams is back at one end to keep it all going. Senior Vincent Anthony Jr. returns after making five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss on the other side.

Aaron Hall is an All-ACC fifth-year senior on the inside who can get into the backfield and hold up as an anchor against the run. Josiah Green (Dartmouth) is a 280-pounder who makes plenty of plays behind the line.

- Terry Moore is one of the ACC’s best safeties, coming off a 71-tackle season with a team-high four picks, but he got hurt in the bowl loss to Ole Miss and needs the full offseason to get back up to speed.

Chandler Rivers is an all-star corner who can do a little of everything - he broke up nine passes, picked off three passes, made 54 tackles, and 7.5 tackles for loss.

There’s depth for the other corner job, but the safeties could take a little bit to find the right rotation. Caleb Weaver (Sam Houston), though, should be an instant playmaker.

- The linebacking corps got a good one in Jaiden Francois, a safety-sized hybrid from Utah State who can pop. Nick Morris in the middle and Tre Freeman on the outside should match the combined 189 stops lost from the team’s top two tacklers. Ozzie Nicholas and Alex Howard. 

Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season 
2025 Duke Preview
Duke Offense Breakdown