Duke releases Week One depth chart

Eight true freshmen, six redshirt freshmen on two-deep

Duke released its depth chart for the Alabama game.

The two-deep made it clear that a very young Duke team will be heading to Atlanta to face the Tide. A total of eight true freshmen and six redshirt freshmen are listed on the two-deep on offense or defense

As we reported last week, two true freshmen will be starting the game.

Here’s a look at the high points of the depth chart:

OFFENSE

Deon Jackson and Brittain Brown are listed as co-starters at running back, the only starting position on the offense that is still up in the air.

There are seven freshmen on offense: Four true and three redshirt.

True freshmen Jalon Calhoun (WR) and Jacob Monk (RT) will start. Redshirt freshman Casey Holman is starting at left tackle, and redshirt Maurice McIntyre is backing up at left guard, meaning 30 percent of the offensive line two-deep is in its first year of playing college.

Calhoun is backed up by another true freshman in Eli Pancol. True freshman Darrell Hardin Jr. and redshirt frosh Dennis Smith are also backing up receiver spots.

DEFENSE

One starting spot on defense is still unsettled: Either Tre Hornbuckle or Drew Jordan will start at defensive end.

Redshirt freshman Shaka Heyward is listed as the starter at weakside linebacker, over junior Brandon Hill. The other big surprise at linebacker is that Koby Quansah, who had surgery on a broken thumb last week, is still listed as starter in the middle.

Seven freshmen are listed on defense: Four true and three redshirt

Redshirt Elijah Brown and true freshman DeWayne Carter are backups at defensive tackle.

Isaiah Kemp and Tony Davis, both true frosh, are battling to back up one corner spot. Redshirt Jeremiah Lewis is listed at the other. True freshman Jalen Alexander is backing up at strong safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS

A.J. Reed returns to the kicking spot. Highly regarded as a freshman, he lost his job after hitting just three of 10 field goals and hasn’t attempted a kick in a game in the last two years. He did handle kickoffs for Duke last year.