football
DURHAM, NC. – Redshirt Junior Linebacker at Duke Tre Freeman was selected for the 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.
Freeman returns to the Blue Devils at linebacker after a standout 2023 season that saw him named Second Team All-ACC. Last season, he finished with double-digit tackles on five different games – including a season-high 15 tackles in Duke’s 24-3 victory over NC State. He recorded at least three tackles in all 13 games and finished with at least five tackles nine times. He was named ACC Co-Linebacker of the Week following his 15-tackle performance against NC State, including 1.5 tackles for loss and his first career interception. Freeman led the Blue Devils and finished sixth in the ACC with 106 tackles last season, making him the first Duke player since 2019 to record 100-plus tackles in a single season.
The Durham native enters the 2024 season as a preseason selection for the Second Team All-ACC Athlon Sport And Phil Steele Publications. In 29 career games, Freeman has started 15 times and recorded 127 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, three passes intercepted, one forced fumble and six quarterback pressures. Entering the 2024 season, he has recorded at least three tackles in 14 consecutive games.
The Bednarik Award has been given to the college defensive player of the year since 1994 and is named after Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik, who was an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania and later an All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles for several years. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to play both offense and defense full-time.
Duke’s opening game of the 2024 season is scheduled for Friday, August 30, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. against Elon at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Season tickets for the upcoming season can be purchased online at goduke.com/footballtix or by calling the Duke Athletics Ticket Office at 919-681-BLUE (2583).
For more information on Duke football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for “https://goduke.com/news/2024/8/12/DukeFOOTBALL.”
Duke’s centenary
In 2024, Duke will celebrate its centennial, the 100th anniversary of the transformation of Trinity College into Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of sustained excellence and influential leadership. For more information, visit 100.duke.edu.
Duke players on the NCFAA watch lists for 2024
Maxwell Prize: Jordan Moore
Lou Groza Prize: Todd Pelino
Doak Walker Award: Jacques Moore
Biletnikoff Prize: Jordan Moore
Chuck Bednarik Price: Tre Freeman
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