Could the Duke Blue Devils land this under-the-radar quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class?
As we begin to enter the 2026 college football offseason, the Duke Blue Devils and head coach Manny Diaz continue to make noise within the 2027 recruiting class.
Earlier this week, Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett reported that 2027 three-star quarterback DJ Hunter has decommitted from Kentucky, opening the door for Diaz and the Blue Devils’ coaching staff to pursue the young talent.
To make matters more interesting for Duke fans, there has been a mutual level of interest between Hunter and the program. When discussing the potential schools in the running, Hunter told Rivals’ Chad Simmons that he is “thinking about” taking a visit to Durham this spring.
“I would say some schools that stand out to me are USF, Maryland, West Virginia, Florida State and Duke,” Hunter told Simmons. “USF is one school I will visit in the spring. Duke is one I am thinking about too.”
Why Hunter Would Be a Slam Dunk
Hunter is one of the more intriguing prospects in the upcoming recruiting cycle. As of now, he is currently the No. 41-ranked quarterback in the 2027 class, as well as a top-75 prospect in the state of Georgia, per 247Sports’ Composite. And despite announcing his commitment to the Wildcats back in April of 2025, the new coaching regime in Kentucky could have played a factor in his decommitment.
One of the main reasons why Hunter continues to fly under the radar is due to his lack of playing time at Buford High School.
Throughout his three seasons with the Wolves, the prolific quarterback had to sit behind the likes of Dayton Raiola, the young brother of Oregon Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola. But with Raiola graduating, Hunter has a chance to boost his stock during his senior season.
In order for the Blue Devils to land the Georgia native, Diaz and the coaching staff must fight off the likes of the USF Bulls and the Florida State Seminoles.
Hunter confirmed to Simmons that he plans to take a visit to USF this spring, as newly-hired head coach Brian Hartline continues to build his first recruiting class with the program.
Duke Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Duke Blue Devils. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.