Duke safety Jeremy Cash to return

Duke safety Jeremy Cash announced Thursday he will return to school for his senior season.

Cash had 111 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and forced four fumbles this past season, leading to second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America. He also was a second-team All-ACC selection.

He was the only defensive back in the nation to record 100-plus tackles, 10.0-plus tackles for loss and 5.0-plus sacks. Mel Kiper Jr. did not have Cash listed among his top safeties for the 2015 draft.

The news is big for a Duke defense that loses five starters, including leading tackler David Helton. But the entire starting secondary returns, with Cash leading the way. Plus, Duke expects linebacker Kelby Brown back from a torn ACL, potentially giving the Blue Devils two of the best defenders in the ACC.