Duke Blue Devils football statistical leaders

The Duke Blue Devils football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Duke Blue Devils football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Blue Devils represent Duke University in the NCAA Division I FBS Atlantic Coast Conference.

Although Duke began competing in intercollegiate football in 1888,[1] the school's official record book considers the generally does not have many entries from before the 1930s, as records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent.

These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

  • Since the 1930s, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
  • The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers.
  • The NCAA only began counting bowl games toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.[2] The Blue Devils have played in nine bowl games since that time, all since 2010, with a tenth assured in 2025. This means almost all of the most recent Duke players have had at least one extra game each season in which to accumulate statistics.
  • The Blue Devils played in the ACC Championship Game in 2013 and 2025, giving players in those seasons yet another game in which to accumulate statistics.
  • Since 2018, players have been allowed to participate in as many as four games in a redshirt season; previously, playing in even one game "burned" the redshirt.[3] Since 2024, postseason games have not counted against the four-game limit.[4] These changes to redshirt rules have given very recent players several extra games to accumulate statistics.
  • Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the NCAA did not count the 2020 season against the eligibility of any football player, giving all players active in that season five years of eligibility instead of the normal four.

These lists are updated through the 2025 ACC Championship Game. Players active for Duke in 2025 are in bold.

Passing

Passing yards

Passing touchdowns

Rushing

Rushing yards

Rushing touchdowns

Receiving

Receptions

Receiving yards

Receiving touchdowns

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[11]

Total offense yards

Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.[12]

Defense

Interceptions

Tackles

Sacks

Kicking

Field goals made

Field goal percentage

References

  1. ^ a b "Records" (PDF). 2025 Duke Football Media Guide. Duke Blue Devils. pp. 193–239. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  2. ^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  3. ^ "DI football to offer more participation opportunities" (Press release). NCAA. June 13, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  4. ^ "DI football oversight committees propose one transfer window" (Press release). NCAA. August 27, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Darian Mensah: Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  6. ^ "Duke vs. Clemson Box Score". ESPN.com. November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Nate Sheppard: Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  8. ^ "Anderson Castle: Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  9. ^ "Georgia Tech vs. Duke Box Score". ESPN.com. October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  10. ^ "Cooper Barkate: Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  11. ^ "2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 9. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  12. ^ "2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 12. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Vincent Anthony Jr.: Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Todd Pelino: Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.