Duke's Braxton Deaver on returning: 'I owe it' to my coaches and teammates

Tight end Braxton Deaver credits his decision to remain at Duke for a rare sixth year of eligibility - in favor of attempting to enter the NFL draft - to a sense dedication to his coaches and teammates at the North Carolina school.

"Really why I've loved football has been because of my teammates and because of my coaches and because of Duke University," Deaver said, according to Steve Wiseman of The Durham Herald-Sun. "I owe it to them to come back and play for my teammates and my coaches."

The all-ACC candidate was awarded an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA after missing all of last season recuperating from a torn right anterior cruciate ligament suffered in summer practices.

Although acknowledging that he initially leaned towards trying his hand at the pro ranks, Deaver said discussions with family, friends, and Duke coaching staff made him realize that returning to college was the more appropriate decision.

"After talking to friends and family and talking to coach (David) Cut(cliffe) and my coaches, it just made so much sense," he explained. "There was no other path than to come back, finish my legacy here, to not forget about those who have helped me become the person I have over the past five or six years. Do it for them."

In his previous full season with Duke in 2013, Deaver caught 46 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns as he helped lead the long-dismissed Blue Devils to the ACC Coastal Division championship.