Four Named to Athlon Preseason All-ACC Teams

DURHAM, N.C. - Headlined by redshirt senior kickoff returner/cornerback DeVon Edwards, four Blue Devils have been honored with preseason recognition from Athlon Sports in its 2016 Preseason All-ACC Team.

Edwards picked up a pair of accolades as the first team kickoff returner and third team cornerback/safety. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Casey Blaser was a third team selection while redshirt junior offensive lineman Gabe Brandner and redshirt senior defensive tackle A.J. Wolf were fourth team picks.

Edwards, a 5-9, 180-pound product of Covington, Ga., is a returning All-ACC defensive back and All-America return specialist. In 40 career games (33 starts), Edwards has booked 298 tackles, 10.0 TFL, 5.5 quarterback sacks, five interceptions, five caused fumbles, 21 pass breakups and six quarterback pressures while returning 72 kickoffs for 2,019 yards (28.04 ypr) and six touchdowns. He holds Duke's single-season records for kickoff return average (30.21 in 2013) and kickoff returns for TDs (3 in 2015) and owns the program's career record for kickoff returns for scores. Among active players in the ACC, Edwards ranks first in tackles, first in kickoff returns, first in kickoff return yards, first in kickoff returns for TDs, second in kickoff return average, third in PBUs, third in total passes defended and tied for fourth in INTs.

Blaser is a returning All-ACC offensive tackle and Duke's most experienced offensive lineman. The 6-5, 290-pound native of Charlotte started all 13 games at right tackle in 2015. He helped the Blue Devils finish third in the ACC in total offense, fifth in scoring offense, fifth rushing offense and fifth in passing offense as Duke joined Clemson and North Carolina as the only schools to rank among the top five in all four categories. Blaser was part of an offensive front that ranked second in the ACC and sixth nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (4.15) last fall.

Brandner returns as the Blue Devils' other starting offensive tackle as he earned all 13 starts at the left tackle position during the 2015 season. He was a key member of an offense that matched the school single-season standard with eight games with 30 or more points, equaling the record set in both 2012 and 2013. Brandner, a 6-6, 285-pound product of Blythewood, S.C., also helped open holes for a rushing attack that averaged 192.92 yards per week, good for Duke's highest mark since 1977.

Wolf, a 6-4, 270-pound product of Greenwich, Conn., is the returning starter at defensive tackle. In 36 career games, Wolf has recorded 86 tackles, 5.5 tackles for lost yardage, 0.5 quarterback sack, one fumble recovery and three quarterback pressures. Last year, Wolf was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week following the win over Georgia Tech. For the campaign, he posted 54 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 0.5 quarterback sack and three QB pressures. He logged two or more tackles in 11 games, including a season-high 10 stops against Pittsburgh.

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