Cosme Salas takes over Duke’s kicking job with a big-leg upside
In 2026, Cosme Salas enters as Duke’s projected placekicker after handling kickoff duties in 2025, where he launched 46 kickoffs with 34 touchbacks, a strong indicator of leg strength and field-position value. Duke’s roster lists him as a redshirt sophomore, 5-foot-7 and 185 pounds, and coverage notes he is stepping into Todd Pelino’s former field-goal role this season. The big question is accuracy under pressure, but the upside is obvious: explosive kickoffs, special-teams utility, and a chance to grow into a reliable ACC kicker.
