DURHAM – After making 17 of 20 field goals and earning second-team All-ACC honors last season, Duke redshirt junior Will Snyderwine looked like a shoo-in to resume his starting place kicking duties this season.
But Snyderwine’s inconsistency through spring practice and fall camp, plus the rejuvenation of Nick Maggio – the starter in 2007 and 2008 – has coach David Cutcliffe still pondering who will get the top kicking slot once the updated two-deep roster is released next week.
“Nick’s getting more lift, has more range, than any time – far and away – since we’ve been here,’’ Cutcliffe said Thursday. “So to this point, he’s out-kicked [Snyderwine].”
Maggio lost the job last year after he took a softball to the face during the summer, had his jaw wired shut, and reported to camp 20 pounds lighter. Without his normal strength and endurance, Snyderwine kicked passed him on the depth chart. But Maggio, who has made 15 of 23 field goals in his career and 50 extra points, said the experience actually helped him because it gave him a chance to get more in the film room and weight room.
“To Nick’s credit, he never quit working,’’ Cutcliffe said. “He’s a senior, and he’s sitting behind a guy that’s second-team All –ACC last year, and Nick didn’t quit working.”
CONNETTE WILL PLAY: Freshman Brandon Connette has earned the backup quarterback position, behind new starter Sean Renfree. And considering how rare it is for a No. 1 quarterback to stay healthy throughout an entire season, don’t be surprised to see Connette playing a series or two in the Blue Devils’ early match-ups.
“I try to do that in every season early; we did it last year with Sean Renfree, even though we had an established starter,’’ Cutcliffe said. “… I don’t’ think you ever can get to October and November and only have one guy who has had significant playing time. Either mopping off a win or mopping up a loss is not really significant playing time. So … we’re going to work to have a plan to that effect, going into this game.”
Cutcliffe is still evaluating which other true freshmen will play against Elon in the season opener. He said he expects freshmen tailbacks Josh Snead and Juwan Thompson to be ready, and said freshman wide receiver Brandon Braxton also has a good chance to see the field. He and his coaches will also discuss a few others.
“If we’re in the position to redshirt some really good football players, that’s going to make our program better long term,’’ he said. “… I’ve told them all, ‘nobody’s redshirting at this point, but a lot of people aren’t going to be playing in that first game.’ We’ll see more about our team in those first three games, and then we can make a decision.”
BRIEFLY: Reserve defensive end Sydney Sarmiento, who had his knee scoped earlier this month, was practicing again Thursday, and Cutcliffe expects him to be ready to play against Elon. Linebacker Kevin Rojas, who has been sidelined by a sore hamstring, should return to practice Sunday, the coach said, and should also be ready for the season opener.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
