Khalid Duke Bio
Khalid Duke is an American professional football linebacker who played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats from 2019 to 2023. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Duke developed into a standout defender earning Second-team All-Big 12 honors in his final college season. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2024, beginning his professional career in the NFL after a successful college career in Manhattan, Kansas.
Early Life and Background
Khalid Duke was born on February 27, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta area where he began developing his athletic abilities at a young age. Duke attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, for his high school years. Riverside Military Academy provided him with a structured environment that helped shape his discipline and work ethic, qualities that would serve him well in his football career.
Coming out of high school, Duke was rated as a three-star recruit by recruiting services. His performance at Riverside Military Academy caught the attention of several college programs, and he ultimately decided to commit to play college football for the Kansas State Wildcats. This commitment marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming a professional athlete.
Path to American Football
Upon arriving at Kansas State University, Duke joined the Wildcats football program with the goal of earning playing time and developing his skills at the collegiate level. He transitioned smoothly to the speed and intensity of college football, immediately contributing on defense during his freshman season. His ability to pressure the quarterback and make plays in the backfield stood out even as a newcomer.
Throughout his college career, Duke steadily improved his technique and football IQ under the guidance of the Kansas State coaching staff. He worked diligently to refine his abilities as a pass rusher and run defender. His dedication paid off as he became a more impactful player with each passing season, eventually earning recognition as one of the top linebackers in the Big 12 Conference.
Khalid Duke Career
Kansas State Wildcats (2019–2023)
Duke arrived at Kansas State as a freshman in 2019 and made an immediate impact. During his freshman season, he recorded seven tackles with three being for a loss, two sacks, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery. These numbers demonstrated his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and create turnovers. His performance as a true freshman hinted at the potential he possessed for future success at the college level.
In the 2020 season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Duke continued to develop his game. He recorded 26 tackles with three going for a loss and one sack. The following year in 2021, Duke played in two games where he tallied six tackles with two for loss and two sacks before suffering a season-ending injury in week two. This injury provided a setback, but Duke demonstrated resilience by returning to form in subsequent seasons.
During the 2022 season, Duke achieved his breakout year. In week five of that season, he recorded three sacks against Texas Tech in a standout performance. For the entire 2022 campaign, Duke posted 44 tackles with five for loss, three sacks, and one pass deflection. His consistency and ability to pressure quarterbacks became trademarks of his game. In the 2023 season, Duke posted 19 tackles with eight for loss, six sacks, and one forced fumble. His strong performance earned him Second-team All-Big 12 honors for the 2023 season. After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Duke decided to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tennessee Titans (2024–Present)
Duke signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. He joined the team for rookie minicamp and organized team activities, working to prove himself among the roster competition. Duke was waived during the final roster cuts before being re-signed to the practice squad, where he continued to develop and refine his skills.
Duke was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on January 4, 2025. He made his NFL debut in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts as a special teams contributor. He later recorded one tackle and one quarterback hit in the season finale against the Houston Texans. Duke was released by the Titans on April 18, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his football career, Duke has shown a consistent ability to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt opposing passing attacks. His explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and his hand technique have allowed him to rack up sacks throughout his career. Duke’s physical tools combined with his football instincts make him effective at both stopping the run and rushing the passer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Duke’s most notable college performance came in week five of the 2022 season when he recorded three sacks against Texas Tech. He was named Second-team All-Big 12 following his 2023 season, which featured a career-high six sacks. His journey from undrafted free agent to active roster player with the Titans marked a significant milestone in his professional career.
Khalid Duke Career Wins
Duke accumulated impressive statistics during his five seasons at Kansas State, totaling 102 career tackles with 19 for loss, 13 sacks, and 2 passes defensed across 47 games. He also recovered one fumble and forced one fumble during his college career.
Kansas State Highlights
Duke’s most productive season came in 2022 when he posted 44 tackles with five for loss and three sacks. His standout performance against Texas Tech, where he recorded three sacks in a single game, showcased his potential as an elite pass rusher. His 2023 season was equally impressive, as he earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors while leading the team with six sacks despite playing a reduced role in the defense. Duke’s consistency over five seasons demonstrated his reliability and durability at the collegiate level.
Other Wins and Performances
At the professional level, Duke appeared in two games during the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans. He made his NFL debut in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts and recorded his first career tackle in the season finale against the Houston Texans.
Khalid Duke Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited information is available regarding Duke’s family background. He was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. His decision to attend a military academy for high school suggests a structured upbringing that emphasized discipline and commitment.
Personal Life
Duke maintains a presence on social media, where he connects with fans and shares updates about his football career. Public information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not currently available. Duke’s focus appears to remain on his football career as he continues to pursue opportunities in professional football.
2025 Season Performance
Duke appeared in two games during the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans. He made his NFL debut on Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts as a special teams contributor, representing the culmination of his journey from college football to the professional level. He later recorded one tackle and one quarterback hit in the season closer against the Houston Texans, recording his first career statistics at the NFL level. Duke was released by the Titans on April 18, 2025, and continues to pursue opportunities in professional football.