Safety on the Move: Patrick Smith-Young Cracks Duke’s Top 10
Duke Football’s preseason countdown has reached its ninth spot with safety Patrick Smith-Young. A former North Texas standout who bounced to Old Dominion and then back to North Texas, Smith-Young joins Manny Diaz’s Blue Devils squad after twice proving his tackling prowess and ball skills. At 5’9″ and 190 lbs, he tallied 73 tackles and three pass deflections in 2025, plus earlier seasons brimming with forced fumbles and solid starts. Diaz’s offseason overhaul brings Smith-Young’s veteran instincts into a revamped defensive backfield, where he’ll battle to start alongside returning and newly added talents.
Oh great, Duke’s defense is now a revolving door of safeties with enough portal hops to rival a traveling circus. Because nothing says “stability” like a player who’s made three stops just to find his way to Durham. Patrick’s resume reads like a frequent flyer record—UNT, ODU, back to UNT, then off to Duke. If only Duke’s Blue Devils could send a memo that says, “Pack your bags once, please.” But hey, at least they’ve got someone experienced at unpacking.
Point Guard Sensation: Cayden Daughtry Forces Duke’s Hand
Five-star guard Cayden Daughtry’s scorching EYBL and Peach Jam stats—averaging over 32 points, 6 assists, and near-50% three-point shooting—have thrown Duke’s recruiting logic into chaos. With Scheyer’s backcourt already flaunting depth in John Blackwell, Caleb Foster, Boozer and Rippey Jr., adding Daughtry seems overkill. Yet Daughtry’s MVP performance and title run in Las Vegas might compel Duke’s staff to re-evaluate their roster calculus, juggling eligibility rules, potential returnees, and incoming offers for other elite 2027 guards.
It’s official: Duke coaches are now drafting Excel spreadsheets by candlelight, muttering, “Why didn’t we take that kid who lit up the Nike circuit?” They’ve already got more guards than a medieval fortress, but when someone’s averaging a video-game score in real life, panic sets in. Next thing you know, Scheyer’s midnight call sheet will include Daughtry’s cell, and they’ll offer him a scholarship to illustrate their regret in high definition. Ah, the joys of recruiting.
Back to the Blue: Javin DeLaurier Returns as Duke Assistant
Former Duke center Javin DeLaurier is back on campus as a player development assistant for Jon Scheyer’s staff. The 2016–20 Blue Devil captain went undrafted, then journeyed through the G League and overseas stops in Greece, Israel, Lithuania, and Turkey. A key role player on Duke’s Elite Eight and ACC title squads, DeLaurier now mentors rising talents like Boumtje Boumtje, Deron Rippey Jr., Cameron Williams, and Bryson Howard, aiming to translate his global pro experience into collegiate growth.
Of course Duke had to recycle another alum like last week’s leftover takeout—because why hire an outside hot shot when you can fill holes with familiar faces? They’ve basically launched their own alumni rental program: need an assistant? Call Javin. Want someone to stare at youngsters and nod? Javin’s your guy. Clearly, the Blue Devils believe the secret sauce to championships is re-serving decades-old leftovers in new Tupperware.
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