Jacob Conley
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 11:55 am
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The Duke football team has not won an ACC Championship since 1962, but on Saturday December 6, Rutherford County native Reagan McCranie helped to change all that. The 6'3, 320 lbs left guard from Chase saw limited action as the Blue Devils upset the Virginia Cavaliers 27-20 in overtime.
"It's hard to put into words right now," a grinning McCranie said outside of the Duke locker room at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. "We put in so much hard work during the year. Tonight, it all paid off and it was worth it."
As tough as it is to play Division I football at Duke, McCranie admits that the academics may be tougher.
"People have this idea that if you are an athlete, you don't have to go to class or that you can slack off. That's not true at all. It's hard, but it's worth it. I love playing here at Duke, but whether I play one or hundreds of snaps over my career, in the end I will have a degree from Duke University and that means something."
Former Chase coach Chris Cogdill, who coached McCranie in high school, has high praise for the way McCranie carries himself both on and off the field.
"Duke is not the right fit for everybody, so we sat in my office and talked about how hard it would be," Cogdill said. "When he told me he was willing to do whatever it took, I knew he would be all right. Reagan is not only a heck of a football player, he is one of the smartest people I know and one of the nicest human beings you would ever hope to meet."
As for playing on Saturdays, as a sophomore, McCranie is waiting behind other players in order to see more playing time after being a star for the Trojans. At Chase, McCranie helped the Trojans to an undefeated regular season as a senior in 2023 and was listed as the No.75 offensive line prospect in the country by ESPN.
"I went from being the big fish in a small pond to a big fish in the ocean," he said. "Everybody is just as good or better than you are and you have to fight hard just to keep your spot. I only got about ten snaps total this year so far, but I just have to keep working and have faith. I could have transferred somewhere else, but I love the program and I love the culture. Like I said at the end of the day, I will have a degree from Duke no matter what else happens."
After his football career is over, McCranie, who is majoring in Education and Psychology, wants to come back to Rutherford County.
"I would love to come back to Chase to teach and coach. I want to pass on what I have learned to others. For now though, we have one more Bowl Game to play in this season and I'm looking forward to the experience, no matter where we go."
McCranie and the Blue Devils have learned their Bowl destination. Duke will travel to El Paso, Texas on New Year's Eve to face Arizona State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. on CBS.