Duke’s preseason buzz may be muted after last year’s surprise ACC title run, but Jeremiah Hasley is still drawing plenty of attention.
The tight end has already stacked up the kind of recognition that turns heads: first-team All-ACC honors and some All-American nods at conference media days. Now he’s landed another spotlight from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, who included Hasley on his annual “Freaks List” for 2026.
That choice comes with some eye-catching numbers attached. Feldman wrote that Hasley has added 18 pounds since arriving at Duke in the summer of 2022, bringing him to 6-3 1/2 and 251 pounds.
He also said Hasley has gained almost eight inches on his vertical jump, which now sits at 37 inches. Feldman listed offseason testing marks of 7.23 seconds in the L-drill, 4.28 in the shuttle and a 1.59 10-yard split, along with a 425-pound bench press.
“He’s made huge improvements since coming to Duke in the summer of 2022. Hasley has added 18 pounds to his current 6-3 1/2, 251-pound frame, and he’s added almost eight inches to his vertical jump (now 37 inches). His L-drill time this offseason was 7.23 seconds (improved from 7.69) and his shuttle time is 4.28 (improved from 4.59).
His 10-yard split of 1.59 (improved from 1.70) would’ve only been topped by Oregon’s super freak Kenyon Sadiq at last year’s combine. His bench press is 425 pounds, up 95 pounds since arriving at Duke. He bounced back from a season-ending knee injury in 2024 to make 40 receptions for 454 yards and six TDs.”
That production came last season, when the Pennsylvania native became a dependable option for Darian Mensah. Hasley finished with 40 catches for 454 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.
With Mensah and leading receiver Cooper Barkate now gone, Duke will need Hasley to stay central to the offense as either Walker Eget or Dan Mahan takes over at quarterback.
And the praise isn’t limited to Feldman. Duke strength coach David Feeley was just as direct about Hasley’s return.
“He has battled his way back better than ever,” Feeley said. “This dude is tough.”
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Still, not everyone is sold on the early NBA hype. One analyst has already raised questions about Williams defense and consistency, enough to project him outside the top-10 picks in the 2027 NBA Draft. For Duke, that only adds another layer to his first season, with a full year ahead for Williams to sharpen his game and alter the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Walker Eget Could Decide How High Dukes Offense Can Climb
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Eget brings experience and plenty of college snaps, but the evaluation is still unfinished as the staff sorts through the spring and summer picture. Manny Diaz has kept the competition open with redshirt freshman Dan Mahan, which means Duke is not simply choosing a replacement but deciding what kind of ceiling it can chase on offense. For a program trying to build on recent momentum, the answer could shape how high this group can climb. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Special Teams Could Decide More Than Fans Realize Early On
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For a game like this, those roles can matter more than most people realize, especially early in the year when field position and clean operation often tilt close matchups. Duke does not need special teams to steal the spotlight, but it does need that unit to be steady, and the alignment against Tulane offers an early test of how smoothly the Blue Devils can execute in the kicking game. [Read more 🡒]