Can Duke football's defense return to its 2024 form?

Manny Diaz has had a favorite word throughout Duke football's offseason: urgency.

It's what the third-year head coach feels his defense lacked in 2025, and what he hopes can return in 2026.

The emphasis stems from what Duke's defense looked like two seasons ago.

The Blue Devils ranked seventh in the ACC in scoring defense in 2024; they finished 14th in 2025. They went from seventh in total defense to 15th. Duke's pass defense, second-best in the league in 2024, collapsed to 15th in 2025. And a defense that ranked fourth in the ACC in efficiency dropped to 13th.

"If you compare '24 to '25 and how significant that that change was, well, then there's no reason why we have to be burdened by what we did in '25 in '26," Diaz said in an Aug. 18 media availability. "It's a new year."

For Diaz, the difference between those two defenses went beyond the numbers. And it's something he feels his 2026 unit is getting back to.

"I think we're the opposite last year," he said. "I'm getting a little bit of that vibe, more of like '24 this year where guys are playing more for each other and and again, trying to be 1/11th and instead of just worrying about what's in it for them."

Preston Watson is seeing it, too.

The junior defensive tackle said the coaching staff has emphasized the urgency from Duke's 2024 squad, and that it can be felt in the way Duke practices.

"You can just see it in the way we play, flying around to the ball, us having fire for each other," Watson said. "Last year coach felt we lacked that a lot, a lot of fire for our brothers, getting on each other's hats, so he made that a huge emphasis this year to celebrate with your team not against the opponent. No pointing, no putting other people down, it's lifting everybody else up."

Diaz pointed to Duke's secondary as its "Achilles heel" from 2025, not shying away from Duke's struggles against the pass. To counter that, he brought in five transfers.

They're already making their presence known.

"The corners have been really good," Watson said. "(Transfers) Kyon Loud and Dylan Flowers are my two boys. Also (freshman) KD Cotton. KD's a young guy, but he's come in, he's changed the program. He always has a knack for the ball. ... It's very good looking for those corners."

It's a defense that has undergone significant turnover not only in the secondary, but across its front. The Blue Devils lost all four of their starting defensive linemen from last year's ACC championship team.

Among those expected to step into larger roles are Watson and David Anderson on the interior, along with Bryce Davis, Tyshon Reed and Kevin O'Connor on the edge.

"We had a lot of older guys last year that left and now coach all the time, it's open season, every spot's available, and we definitely feel that pressure, but it's good pressure," Watson said. "There is a lot of sense of urgency.

"We're always in competition with each other and I feel like we attack every practice like that."

The guys going against them in practice can see it, too.

"We got some talent for sure," offensive tackle Braden Miller said. "We got some edge rushers who can apply some pressure, that's for certain. A couple guys to really look out for, looking for a great season for them. And then interior, we got strong cats. ... I haven't seen people lift this much in a while."

Duke opens its 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 against Tulane at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Can Duke football's defense return to its 2024 form?