e’s protection took an enormous hit in Week 4 of the 2025 season as beginning linebacker Nick Morris Jr. suffered a leg harm within the first half of the Blue Devils’ 45-33 victory over NC State, ending his season.
Now, after nearly a 12 months of rehab, Morris is again and able to make a distinction for the reigning ACC champions, who open the season on Sept. 5 towards Tulane.
Morris was just lately named to the Comeback Participant of the 12 months Award Watch Record. He will probably be very important in serving to enhance Duke’s protection after the Blue Devils struggled final season, ending 121st within the FBS in whole protection after permitting 424.2 yards per sport.
It gained’t be the primary time that the Westlake HS (Texas) product has returned from harm. Within the season-opening sport towards Elon in 2024, Morris suffered a season-ending ACL harm.
Following his harm final season, Duke head coach Manny Diaz felt devastated for his participant.
“I’m gutted for Nick,” Diaz mentioned. “One, simply as an individual as a result of he got here again from lacking all of final 12 months. After which second, as a participant, as a result of he’s completely among the best gamers on our protection and was taking part in at an awfully excessive stage.”
Together with the Comeback Participant of the 12 months, Morris has additionally been named to the Panini Senior Bowl High 300 and Shriners Kids's East-West Bowl 1,000.
This text initially appeared on Duke Wire: t
