Khalid Duke Bio
Khalid Duke (born February 27, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, where he developed into one of the program’s reliable defensive contributors. After his college career, Duke signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and began his journey in the National Football League.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 246 pounds, Duke brings size and physicality to the linebacker position. Known for his determination and work ethic, he earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023, capping a steady college career with his strongest statistical season.
Early Life and Background
Khalid Duke was born on February 27, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta area before pursuing his high school education at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. The military-style school environment provided structure and discipline that helped shape his approach to athletics.
Coming out of high school, Duke was rated as a three-star recruit. Despite the modest rating, his combination of size and athleticism attracted the attention of college programs. He decided to commit to play college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, a Big 12 Conference program with a long tradition of developing defensive players.
Path to American Football
Duke’s path to professional football began with his commitment to Kansas State, where he joined the Wildcats in 2019. The program offered him an opportunity to develop his skills at the highest level of college competition while competing in one of the most respected conferences in college football.
His time at Kansas State allowed him to grow into a dependable linebacker, contributing on defense and special teams across multiple seasons. After completing his college eligibility, Duke declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, betting on his college production and measurables to earn an opportunity at the next level.
Khalid Duke Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
In his freshman season at Kansas State in 2019, Duke quickly made an impact, recording seven tackles with three going for a loss, two sacks, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. The production as a first-year player signaled his potential as a disruptive pass rusher and run defender off the edge.
The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Duke notch 26 tackles with three for a loss and a sack. During the 2021 season, he played in two games and registered six tackles with two for a loss and two sacks before suffering a season-ending injury in week two. The injury interrupted his development, but he returned to the field the following year.
Kansas State Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season marked Duke’s true breakout year at Kansas State. He posted 44 tackles with five for a loss, three sacks, and a pass deflection. A standout moment came in week five against Texas Tech, when he tallied three sacks in a single game, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses at the line of scrimmage.
Duke’s strong 2022 campaign established him as a key piece of the Wildcats’ defense. His performance continued into 2023, when he recorded 19 tackles with eight for a loss, six sacks, and a forced fumble. The 2023 season earned him Second-team All-Big 12 recognition, validating his growth and cementing his status as one of the conference’s top edge players that year.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Duke signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. He was waived on August 27, 2024, but quickly returned to the organization when he was re-signed to the practice squad, keeping his professional hopes alive.
Duke was signed to the Titans’ active roster on January 4, 2025. He made his NFL debut in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts as a special teams contributor. In the season finale against the Houston Texans, he recorded his first career tackle along with a quarterback hit. On April 18, Duke was released by the Titans, concluding his rookie NFL season with limited but memorable regular-season action.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Duke’s college career came in 2022 against Texas Tech, when he recorded three sacks in a single game, showcasing his pass-rushing potential. His Second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023 further cemented his legacy as a productive Wildcats defender.
Khalid Duke Career Wins
Khalid Duke’s career is still in its early stages, and his statistical resume is defined more by tackles, sacks, and disruptive plays than by traditional win-loss totals. Across his college career at Kansas State, he consistently contributed on the defensive side of the ball, with his 2022 and 2023 seasons standing out as his most productive years. In the NFL, he appeared in two games during the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans, making his professional debut as a special teams contributor and recording his first career tackle against the Houston Texans.
College Highlights
Duke’s most notable college achievement came in 2023, when he was named Second-team All-Big 12 after posting 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, and a forced fumble. His 2022 season was his statistical high point, with 44 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and a pass deflection, including a three-sack performance against Texas Tech. He finishes his Kansas State career as a multi-year contributor and a respected member of the Wildcats’ defensive front.
Other Wins and Performances
While Duke has yet to establish himself as a starter at the NFL level, his ability to appear in regular-season games and contribute on special teams reflects a successful transition from college football to the professional ranks. His career trajectory suggests continued development as he pursues his next opportunity in professional football.
Khalid Duke Family
Personal Life
Public information about Khalid Duke’s personal life is limited. He was born and raised in the Atlanta, Georgia, area before attending Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. Beyond his football career, details about his family and private life have not been widely publicized.
2025 Season Outlook
As of 2025, Khalid Duke’s immediate professional future remains uncertain. After being released by the Tennessee Titans in April, he entered the open market seeking a new opportunity to continue his NFL career. His combination of size, college production, and special teams experience from the 2024 season makes him a candidate to latch on with another organization as a depth linebacker or practice squad contributor.
Duke’s strongest selling point remains his pass-rushing ability, highlighted by his 14 career sacks at Kansas State and his 2023 All-Big 12 recognition. If he lands with a team that employs a defensive scheme that emphasizes edge pressure, he could carve out a more substantial role in 2025. His recent NFL experience also gives him a clearer understanding of professional game speed and preparation demands.
For Duke, the 2025 season represents a pivotal chapter. A productive training camp and preseason could secure him a roster spot and set the stage for expanded defensive snaps. Whether he returns to Tennessee or joins a new franchise, his goal will be to build on the foundation established during his rookie season and translate his college success into a sustained NFL career.