Duke QB Thomas Sirk to pursue graduate transfer

Thomas Sirk, the Duke quarterback who was granted a sixth season of eligibility back in November, is leaving the school.

With Daniel Jones entrenched as the starting quarterback, Duke announced Monday that the oft-injured Sirk will pursue a graduate transfer for the 2017 season. Sirk missed the entire 2016 season because of an Achilles injury — the third of his career.

Sirk was Duke’s starting quarterback in 2015 and would have started again in 2016 if not for the Achilles injury he suffered in February 2016. While attempting to return in time for the start of the season, Sirk re-aggravated the injury and was forced to miss the entire season. With Sirk out, Jones showed promise as a redshirt freshman and has kept that role during spring practice this month. Sirk has participated in spring ball in a limited role and has been held out of contact drills.

Sirk previously suffered a right Achilles injury in 2013 and missed that season. He returned in 2014 and was the top backup behind Anthony Boone, when he saw quite a bit of action in short-yardage packages as a runner (he led the team with eight rushing touchdowns). In 2015, Sirk threw for 2,625 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also led the team with 803 yards and eight scores rushing.

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“First and foremost, we are 100 percent supportive of Thomas and his decision to complete his eligibility at another school,” Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe said. “I’ve said it many times before: Thomas is an incredible young man. He’s conscientious, dedicated and what I would consider the ultimate teammate due to his selflessness and leadership qualities. Thomas loves Duke. He and I have had great discussion regarding this decision, and his love for this university and everything it represents is what made this decision so difficult for him.

“Since arriving on campus, Thomas has done everything we’ve asked him to do, plus some,” Cutcliffe continued. “The injuries he’s endured have been well documented, but his perseverance to recover from those setbacks is one of many attributes that make him such a special person. On the field, I don’t think we’ve had a player with a greater combination of toughness and competitiveness, and his impact on our program has extended from the field, into both the classroom and locker room and beyond. The greatest thing I can say about Thomas is that he earned the respect from every player, coach and staff member within our program by achieving levels of character and spirit exemplified by only the best of the best.”

Sirk graduated from Duke in May 2016 and is on track to complete his master’s degree this spring, the school said.

“I am beyond thankful for my time spent at Duke University,” Sirk said. “I will never take for granted the relationships I’ve built with the entire Duke community, especially my teammates and coaches. The men in the locker room have become my family over the course of five years, and calling them teammates would be an understatement.

“When I joined the program in the spring of 2012, I never expected that I would leave here with two degrees and to become the man that I am today. I am grateful that Coach Cutcliffe believed in me to play quarterback at the next level when not very many people did. I will carry with me the life lessons I learned both on and off the field and I’ll leave Duke University prepared to handle any situation that life could throw my way. More importantly, I have learned that excellence is the standard. Although my time here is coming to an end, I will forever remain DukeGang, and I will always call Duke University home.”

In a release, Duke said it will restrict Sirk from transferring within the ACC and to schools on its 2017 football schedule: Army, Baylor, N.C. Central and Northwestern.

For more Duke news, visit DevilsIllustrated.com.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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