Duke’s Carter garners respect at every turn || 2024 NFL Draft
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Duke's DeWayne Carter was the program's first three-time team captain.
DeWayne Carter -the first three-time team captain in Duke football history- won the team’s prestigious Ace Parker Award back in 2020. That started a theme for the former Blue Devil.
In 2021, the Pickerton Central High School graduate was a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and Academic All-ACC member. A former soccer player, he earned first-team All-ACC honors on the football field in 2023 after earning second-team honors in 2022.
FAMILY AFFAIR
Carter’s football background begins with his father, DeWayne, Sr., a three-time letterman at wide receiver for Ohio State (1993-95). Additionally, Carter’s grandfather, Raymond, starred in football and track at Youngstown State in the 1950s.
Carter’s playmaking versatility shined throughout his career. He twice scored touchdowns on fumble returns, broke up 11 passes, forced seven fumbles and blocked one kick. On special teams he has played the personal protector (punt team) and lined up as a fullback on the kickoff return unit. In the fourth quarter of a 2020 contest versus Florida State, he produced a highlight film knockdown block on this unit.
Those types of efforts culminated in Carter being named team captain as just a sophomore. When asked about the honor he simply replied, “Grateful.”
SKILLS
The NFL team that drafts Carter immediately gets more athletic on its defensive front. Weighing in at over 300 pounds (302), he broke the five-second mark in the 40-yard dash (4.99) at the 2024 NFL Combine. He also posted a 32-inch vertical jump.
The pass rush repertoire needs refinement, because Carter contains adequate hand displacement capability. Can he flip his hips consistently after gaining an opponent’s edge?
There are few question marks surrounding Carter’s professional approach. The ACC’s 2023 Jim Tatum Award winner carried a 3.47 GPA in psychology. In addition, he was a 2022 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team selection for his work in the community.
But it’s the on-field skill that has attracted NFL suitors. The physical similarities mirror NFL defensive tackles such as Cleveland’s Maurice Hurst or Cincinnati’s Jay Tufele.
MR. DUKE
Few have ever garnered the respect of Carter while at Duke. As for the nickname of “Mr. Duke” that he came to embrace?
“As times went on, you know I try to take pride in it,” Carter told Duke Football. “I think that just kind of speaks to something I was trying to do when I first got here. I’m involved in the student-athlete advisory council, mentorship programs.
“Habitat for Humanity was really my jump start to community service here. I’ve coached the youth baseball team. I feel like when it comes to service and servant leadership, I think the best thing you can give somebody is your time.”
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