Chandler Rivers Returning!

[Mike Petrik]

Rivers is returning for his senior year!!

 

[Mike Petrik]

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers announces his return for the 2025 season

The NFL will come calling for Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers eventually, but it’ll need to wait until after the 2025 season.

dukewire.usatoday.com

 

[OldPhiKap]

That is great news!

 

[brevity]

Rivers is returning for his senior year!!

Announced on Instagram. Here's a screenshot:

 

[heyman25]

Thought he would go to NFL

 

[obowl1955]

Awesome!!!

 

[NYBri]

 

[jam]

What is the rest of our secondary looking like?

 

[gep]

I think Manny is working his magic again. He and his staff MUST be doing something right. GO DUKE!!!!

 

[DoubleBlue]

What is the rest of our secondary looking like?

The article linked in post #2 fills in most of the blanks...

With cornerback Joshua Pickett and safety Jaylen Stinson both utilizing their final year of eligibility in 2024, Rivers electing to return is a massive domino for Manny Diaz and the Duke coaching staff. Duke allowed 6.0 yards per attempt through the regular season, tied for 12th among FBS programs.

The Blue Devils also pulled former Sam Houston State safety Caleb Weaver and former Utah State cornerback Jaiden Francois from the transfer portal to rebuild the back seven.

 

[VA_BDevil]

Thought he would go to NFL

Maybe Duke NIL pays better???

 

[peloton]

Wonderful news the day after a not so wonderful end to the team's season (not due to any lack of effort on their part though.)

 

[NYBri]

Maybe Duke NIL pays better???

Probably better than a day 3 pick…with the chance to move up to a day 2 or 1.

 

[johnb]

This is terrific.

Like the rest of us, he probably makes decisions based on lots of factors beyond his exact 2025-26 income.

My hunch is that he wants to get his degree, rise even further on mock NFL drafts, be an 1st team A-A, and lead Duke to a solidly top 25, 10-win season.

Ie, the defense’s Mensah.

Kudos to him.