Duke depth chart breakdown — running backs: Team needs Deon Jackson to be playmaker
Duke guard Jacob Monk recently was asked about a preseason scrimmage and what offensive players caught his eye.
“Deon Jackson,” Monk quickly responded, “is a playmaker.”
That’s what Duke needs him to be. Jackson, a 6-0, 220-pound senior running back, followed up a strong 2018 — 847 yards rushing, 5.26 yards per carry — with more modest numbers (641, 3.73) last season. The Blue Devils, ninth in the ACC in rushing in 2019, need Jackson at his best, making plays.
And healthy. Duke coach David Cutcliffe has said the running back position is among the team’s thinnest. Ideally, Cutcliffe said, a team needs five backs. The Blue Devils won’t go into the season opener Saturday against Notre Dame with that much depth.
Jackson gobbles up yards. In 37 career games, he has rushed for 1,585 yards (and 13 TDs) and caught 51 passes for 449. He also has returned 28 kickoffs for 611 yards and completed one pass. All total: 2,645 all-purpose yards. Jackson also is dependable with the ball in his hands. He has just four lost fumbles in 444 touches.
Who will be the starter?
It will be No. 4, but don’t be confused by the jersey number. Jackson has switched from No. 25 to No. 4, his old high school number, for his senior year. Duke’s mediocre passing attack last season allowed defenses to also limit Duke’s running game. But if transfer quarterback Chase Brice gets the job done throwing the ball, Jackson might show the form that made him a second-team All-ACC choice as a sophomore.
Who will be the reserves?
Junior Mataeo Durant is listed as the second-team running back for the opener and Jordan Waters, a redshirt freshman, is third on the depth chart. Durant got more playing time last season after Brittain Brown — who has left the program — was injured. Jordan Waters played in just four games in 2019 but will get more work this season.
“These are really good backs with escapability and the ability to make big plays,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Monday.
Who might surprise us?
It could be Waters. He turned some heads with a 12-carry, 88-yard performance in a preseason scrimmage. Injuries to Jaylen Coleman and Marvin Hubbard III have given the former safety another chance to get more playing time.
What are the group’s strengths?
Jackson has played a lot of football at Duke and has a full grasp of Cutcliffe’s offense and how he fits into it. Jackson’s 847 yards two years ago were the most for a running back since Cutcliffe has been at Duke.
What are the group’s weaknesses?
Thin, thinner, thinnest. The Blue Devils already have running backs sidelined with injuries and can’t afford to have more.
“We don’t have people to try to move around in there,” Cutcliffe said during fall camp. “I’ve got some ideas. I’ve got some contingency planning.”
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 12:15 PM with the headline "Duke depth chart breakdown — running backs: Team needs Deon Jackson to be playmaker."
