Duke’s Jones, Giles-Harris leaving early for NFL draft

The star quarterback and linebacker helped lead the Blue Devils to an eight-win season in 2018

Duke quarterback Duke's Daniel Jones passes against Temple during the Blue Devils' Independence Bowl win (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

DURHAM (AP) — Duke quarterback Daniel Jones and linebacker Joe Giles-Harris are skipping their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft.

They announced their decisions Monday, four days after the Blue Devils beat Temple in the Independence Bowl .

The 6-foot-5 Jones completed nearly 60 percent of his passes while throwing for 8,201 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons as the starter. He threw for five TDs and rushed for another in the bowl victory.

Giles-Harris averaged more than nine tackles in 34 career games and became the school’s first two-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker in more than 30 years.

Coach David Cutcliffe says he supports both players’ decisions, calling Jones “a cornerstone of our program” and saying he “could not be more appreciative of Joe’s commitment and dedication.”