Blue Devil Country

Duke Football: Blue Devils Host Top-Ranked Athlete

Aaron Gregory, an electric five-star out of Georgia, seems interested in Duke football.

Matt Giles

Duke football vs. NC State (Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports)
In this story:

Douglas County (Ga.) wide receiver Aaron Gregory, one of a few 2026 composite five-star talents holding a Duke football offer, was in Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday night.

It appears the 6-foot-3, 170-pound speedster enjoyed the overall visit and left impressed by the Blue Devils' 24-3 stomping of the visiting NC State Wolfpack:

Gregory, No. 16 overall, No. 1 among athletes, and No. 4 in his state on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, already has dozens of suitors and more than a handful of the big-name variety.

That list includes the likes of Georgia, as the Bulldogs hosted him in September, along with Alabama, Florida State, and Texas, among others.

Duke football has never landed a full-fledged five-star recruit. And second-year head coach Mike Elko has reeled in only two four-star pledges since he arrived in Durham — the latest being Center Grove (Ind.) quarterback Tyler Cherry, who earned his fourth star last week, months after committing to the Blue Devils.

But Elko has worked magic while garnering unprecedented national attention for the program. The Blue Devils, following a remarkable 9-4 campaign last season, have hosted ESPN's College GameDay for the first time in program history and earned three primetime, nationally broadcasted games thus far.

Meanwhile, at No. 16 in this week's AP Top 25, Duke football boasts its highest ranking since 1994.

Furthermore, Elko and his gang enjoy the No. 36 recruiting class on the 2024 trail, per 247Sports, which would mark the Blue Devils' best haul since 2016 (No. 32) if it holds.

So, with the above in mind, perhaps it's no longer unrealistic to think the Blue Devils will eventually attract one of the nation's premier recruits to play college football in Durham.

Will it be Aaron Gregory? It's safe to say Duke didn't hurt its chances on Saturday night.

Duke Earns Funny Mention on 'Saturday Night Live'

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke football recruiting news.

Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Home/Football