Duke opens spring practice (seriously)

It may be Feb. 3, and the 2016 football season may not officially end until two days from now, at the Super Bowl, but who says we have to wait to get the ball rolling on the 2017 season?

Duke kicked off spring practice Friday. Yes, you read that right. Spring practice. On the first Friday of February, which is just two days after national signing day.

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The Blue Devils have been trendsetters of sorts in starting spring ball early, as coach David Cutcliffe has now opened camp in early February three times over the past four years, although never this early. He started this method in 2014, as Duke was coming off a 10-win, ACC Coastal-winning season in 2013, and the coach looked to keep the momentum going into the following season.

This year’s reasoning was a little different, as Duke missed a bowl game for the first time since 2011 and has not played competitively since November. So forget Punxsutawney Phil’s declaration on Groundhog Day; winter, as far as the Blue Devils are concerned, is officially over.

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This won’t be the quickest spring session Duke has had, however, as this year’s spring game will be March 4. The 2014 one was held March 1, after starting spring ball Feb. 7.