Red Storm TE Duncan a preseason All-America pick

ST. GEORGE – Dixie State senior tight end Joe Don Duncan has been named to the 2013 D2Football.com Preseason All-America First Team despite missing the entirety of the 2012 season with an injury.

Duncan was sidelined after a stellar 2011 season that shattered DSU receiving records.

“My knee is 100% right now,” said Duncan. “I am trying to get my conditioning at a higher level.”

DSU tight end Joe Don Duncan
DSU tight end Joe Don Duncan

This will be Duncan’s first season catching passes from quarterback Griff Robles.

“Several of us stuck around this past summer and worked on our timing with Griff,” said Duncan. “I think our cohesion improved substantially.”

In 2011 Duncan made 64 catches, 13 more than the previous records of Nash Fowler in 2010 and Skyler Ence in 2009. His 949 receiving yards in 10 games topped the previous single-season best of 674 yards by Kyser Christensen in 2008. Additionally, he hauled in nine touchdown receptions, three better than a quartet of Red Storm receivers.

He was awarded Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Newcomer of the Year in 2011 and named a First Team All-Star. Duncan was a Second Team All-Super Region Four pick by Daktronics and named to the All-America teams by Don Hansen and D2Football.com.

As a draft eligible player, Duncan netted positions on the Lindy’s Sports Annual’s top tight ends at No. 9 and Phil Steele’s Top 40 TE at No. 27 (the only Division II player on the list).

“I think the key this season is to stay injury-free,” said Duncan. “If we can achieve that as an offensive unit, I think we will surprise some people.”

The Red Storm open the season this Saturday on the road at Division I-FCS competitor Idaho State.

DSU tight end Joe Don Duncan, back from injury, is expected to do big things this season | Photo courtesy Dixie State University Athletics
DSU tight end Joe Don Duncan, back from injury, is expected to do big things this season | Photo courtesy Dixie State University Athletics

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