Duke midseason report card: Top defensive players
1. KOBY QUANSAH, LINEBACKER
Stats: 59 tackles, 20 solo, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 1 Fumble recovery
The senior has set career highs in tackles for loss, sacks and pass breakups, all while playing with a cast on his broken thumb. Quansah has been the emotional leader for the team as well as a top contributor on the field. He leads Duke in tackles and is tied for tops on the team in tackles for loss.
2. VICTOR DIMUKEJE, DEFENSIVE END
Stats: 20 tackles, 7 solo, 6 TFL, 5 sacks, 7 QB Hits
The junior had three sacks against Georgia Tech, the most by a Blue Devil in an ACC game since 2003. Dimukeje already has more sacks than last year, and he leads the team in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits.
3. DYLAN SINGLETON, SAFETY
Stats: 41 tackles, 24 solo, 3 TFL, 1 Forced fumble, 1 Fumble recovery
The senior has been a key contributor to Duke’s pass rush and run support, in addition to playing pass defense. He bounced back from an injury that kept him out all spring and is third on the team in tackles, while leading in solo stops. He already has a career high in tackles for loss.
4. LEONARD JOHNSON, CORNERBACK
Stats: 26 tackles, 21 solo, 1 interception, 4 PBU, 1 Forced fumble, 1 Fumble recovery
Perceived by opponents as the weak link in the secondary, Johnson has been up to the challenge of wearing the bullseye against opposing quarterbacks. He has a career-high four pass breakups to tie for the team lead and, after an interception in the end zone against Virginia Tech got waved off due to a late hit on the quarterback, Johnson got another interception later in the game.
5. CHRIS RUMPH II, DEFENSIVE END
Stats: 19 tackles, 7 solo, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 PBU, 6 QB Hits
The undersized defensive end always seems to find a way to squeeze through holes in the offensive line to put pressure on the quarterback. He dominated Middle Tennessee with two sacks and four tackles for loss. Rumph also batted down a pass and defended another pass against Georgia Tech.
