Duke announced its 3 captains for the 2022 season on Wednesday afternoon.

Leading the Blue Devils will be linebacker Shaka Heyward, offensive lineman Jacob Monk and defensive tackle Dewayne Carter.

Heyward is arguably Duke’s best defensive player going into the 2022 season. This will be his 4th season with the Blue Devils and he already has 244 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his career.

Monk is a veteran offensive lineman who has 35 career starts for the Blue Devils. He was an All-ACC candidate last season and is one of the better right guards in the conference.

Carter is coming off a standout season for the Blue Devils at defensive tackle. In 2021, he posted 36 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

All 3 of these players are Duke veterans who clearly have earned the trust of first-year head coach Mike Elko. The Blue Devils are trying to get back to a bowl game for the first time since 2018.

Duke opens the 2022 season with Temple on Sept. 2.