Duke signing day: Manny Diaz scrambled, kept most of Blue Devils class together

College football’s shift to December craziness with coaches changing jobs and players moving via the transfer portal left Manny Diaz with a difficult job heading into Wednesday’s signing day.

Previous Duke coach Mike Elko had a class of committed players that had Duke in the top 50 nationally. After Elko left for Texas A&M and Diaz was hired to replace him, the Blue Devils lost a couple of talented players.

But, overall, Diaz was able to sign 16 players on the early signing day and he hopes to perhaps add a few more in the February signing period.

Diaz thanked the current staff that stayed around to coach the Blue Devils in Saturday’s Birmingham Bowl even as they ponder their uncertain coaching futures. They played a big role in this class, too.

“I’m thankful to all the efforts of all the people,” Diaz said, “but I’m mostly thankful to the the individuals who did sign with us today. It’s always very difficult when there’s a coaching change. There’s a period of uncertainty. You think you have an idea of what of where you’re at and where you’re going and then all of a sudden, at the eleventh hour, it becomes uncertain. You’re not sure. These individuals, they made a grown-up decision. They knew what they wanted. They knew what Duke means to them.”

Duke’s three big defections after the coaching change were four-star safety Paul Mencke, who signed with Washington on Wednesday, three-star offensive lineman Mason Wade, who signed with Clemson, and four-star quarterback Tyler Cherry, who changed his commitment from Duke to his home-state Indiana Hoosiers.

Still, Duke retained high-upside players like defensive end Ryan Smith, wide receiver Chase Tyler and cornerback Landon Callahan.

Three committed players, offensive tackle Robert Bourdon and defensive linemen Jaylen Carl and Ryan Daly, chose not to sign on Wednesday. Diaz remains hopeful he can add to the class.

“We obviously have the ability to build on this class,” Diaz said. “There were some members of this class that may still join us, that didn’t sign today that may sign February so but we’re gonna push we’re going to be aggressive. We’re going be aggressive in high school recruiting. We’re going to be aggressive in the portal, but we’re going to do in a way where it fits us.”

Top-rated recruit

Kobe Smith, DE: A playmaking edge rusher, Smith is also a state champion wrestler, proving he can win battles in tight quarters. Though both three-star recruits, he and wide receiver Chase Tyler are both rated higher than any other new Duke freshman according to 247sports.com. A two-time, all-state selection, Smith caused 13 fumbles and scored six defensive touchdowns in his high school career.

Player who could impact early

Chase Tyler, WR: With Jalon Calhoun exhausting his eligibility, the Blue Devils have a need at wide receiver to go along with the returning Jordan Moore. Tyler has the skills to be that guy if he can adjust quickly. He caught 97 passes, scoring 16 touchdowns, in his high school career in Georgia. He’s also an all-region basketball player.

Most intriguing recruit

Kade Reynoldson, P: Son of a former Aussie Rules Football player, Reynoldson arrives from Queensland, Australia, where he worked with ProKick Australia Geelong to hone his skills for the American game. Diaz had success with an Australian punter, current New Orleans Saints punter Lou Hedley, while coaching at Miami previously.

“Punter is really the most important player in football,” Diaz said, “because in change of possessions there’s huge quantities of yards available. You’re turning the field around if you do it the right way. A guy that can that can move the pocket, can be a pocket punter, can be a rugby punter, can punt the ball to the right and left in both occasions, becomes a really hard person to scheme up again.”

Top local recruit

Landan Callahan, CB: The Defensive MVP of the Shrine Bowl for the NC team, Callahan represents Duke’s top in-state recruit. Out of Reagan High School in Forsyth County, he has the skill and size to be a lockdown cornerback.

Signed players