Nick Morris Jr. named to Comeback Player of the Year Watch List
Duke linebacker Nick Morris Jr. has been named to the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List after missing the final 10 games last season.
Duke's defense suffered a significant loss when starting linebacker Nick Morris Jr. tore a leg muscle in the first half of the Blue Devils' 45-33 victory over NC State, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2025 season. After nearly a year of rehabilitation, Morris has returned to the team and is poised to make a substantial impact on the reigning ACC champions as they commence their campaign on September 5th against Tulane.
Morris has been added to the Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List, highlighting his potential to contribute to improving Duke's defense, which suffered last season, ranking 121st in the FBS with an average of 424.2 yards allowed per game. This is not the first time Morris has overcome an injury; in the season opener against Elon in 2024, he suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
Duke head coach Manny Diaz expressed his devastation upon learning of Morris's recovery, emphasizing that Morris is an exceptional defensive player who had been performing exceptionally well. In addition to the Comeback Player of the Year nomination, Morris has also been selected to the Panini Senior Bowl Top 300 and Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1,000.
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