Duke basketball fans have long grown accustomed to is-he-leaving-for-the-draft vigils. Beginning in 1999, 26 Duke basketball players have left early for the NBA, leaving 67 player-years on the table.
It’s not just basketball. Duke baseball lost four of their best juniors to the 2018 MLB draft. Tennis, soccer, golf, all have had early losses to the professional ranks.
Duke football?
Not so much.
Part of that is structural. The NFL can’t draft players after until three years after their high school graduation.
So, no one-and-dones. Or even two-and-dones.
But until recently, NFL teams haven’t been all that interested in Duke players who have completed their eligibility.