Duke’s defense took a massive hit in Week 4 of the 2025 season as starting linebacker Nick Morris Jr. suffered a leg injury in the first half of the Blue Devils’ 45-33 victory over NC State, ending his season.
Now, after almost a year of rehab, Morris is back and ready to make a difference for the reigning ACC champions, who open the season on Sept. 5 against Tulane.
Morris was recently named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List. He will be vital in helping improve Duke’s defense after the Blue Devils struggled last season, finishing 121st in the FBS in total defense after allowing 424.2 yards per game.
It won’t be the first time that the Westlake HS (Texas) product has returned from injury. In the season-opening game against Elon in 2024, Morris suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Following his injury last season, Duke head coach Manny Diaz felt devastated for his player.
“I’m gutted for Nick,” Diaz said. “One, just as a person because he came back from missing all of last year. And then second, as a player, because he’s absolutely one of the best players on our defense and was playing at an extraordinarily high level.”
Along with the Comeback Player of the Year, Morris has also been named to the Panini Senior Bowl Top 300 and Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1,000.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Nick Morris Jr. named to Comeback Player of the Year Watch List
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