Reidsville’s Chestnut hopes to be the comeback kid during senior year at Duke

By STEVE CANNULI
Published: July 31, 2008

Preparing for a senior season is often a difficult process, let alone if you are Duke University’s Raphael Chestnut.

Chestnut, one of Reidsville High School’s all-time standout wide receivers, is coming off a season-ending knee injury and add to the mix he and the rest of the Blue Devils are welcoming in a new head coach — David Cutcliffe.

Despite all the obstacles that included rehabilitation, learning a new playbook and getting to know a new coaching staff, Chestnut seems to be taking it all in stride.

“It’s been a very smooth transition,” he said. “He’s a very good coach and I like what he brings to this program.”

Cutcliffe, who spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee, became the 21st Duke head coach on Dec. 15 — following the departure of Ted Roof. His head coaching experience includes a six-year stint at the University of Mississippi. Cutcliffe, who led Ole Miss to four bowl games in six seasons, mentored Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. He was named SEC coach of the year in 2003 after leading Ole Miss to a 10-3 record.

For the former Tennessee assistant, Cutcliffe agrees with his wide out about the transition.

“We’ve got smart kids and they did real well with all of it,” said Cutcliffe.

Chestnut, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior, played in five games during the 2007 season before seeing his season end early to an injury. Prior to the injury, Chestnut recorded 12 receptions for 188 yards (15.7 per catch).

For his career, he has 53 receptions, 575 yards (10.8) and two touchdowns.

Although his career numbers do not jump off the page at you, his new head coach sees nothing but potential heading into Chestnut’s senior year.

“I watched a little bit of tape on him and saw what he can do,” said Cutcliffe. “He has great leadership skills and is just a great youngster. He’s a young man who has really worked hard. He’ll have a much bigger senior season than people will expect.”

Last year’s mishap was Chestnut’s first major football injury and the process was long and grueling.

“It was very difficult,” he said. “I knew last year I was going to come back and come back strong. I am ready to go out there and go out on good note.”

Chestnut was also quick to mention all the support and well wishes he received from family, friends and supporters back in Rockingham County.

While his teammate at Reidsville — Jerome Simpson — is preparing for his first-ever NFL training camp in Cincinnati, Chestnut remains focused on his team and his final season at Duke.

“My team comes first,” he said. “I can’t do anything about next spring. I am focusing on 2008 and the season. When the season ends, I will focus on 2009.”

“We’re not making bowl prediction by any means,” Cutcliffe said. “I do think that we’re going to be more of a competitive football team than people will think.”

Chestnut added that although the new offense has a different terminology, every offense is almost the same.

“I think the offense looks good,” he said. “Very crisp. I think we are in better shape than we were last year at this time.”

Both of Duke’s QBs from a year ago — Thaddeus Lewis and Zack Asack — return for the 2008 season.

Four of the Blue Devils’ 10 receivers are seniors, led by preseason All-ACC second team selection Eron Riley, who has a 20.7-yards per reception average for his career.

The new-look Blue Devils with their new head coach, who play their first four games in Durham, open the season on Aug. 30 against James Madison.

One interesting twist — Chestnut and James Madison’s Julius Graves are both former Reidsville Rams.