Four seasons ago, former Duke football head coach Mike Elko started a new tradition for the Blue Devils: the annual Iron Duke Lifter of the Year award.
Each offseason, a standout player who exemplified hard work, leadership, and motivation would receive this award ahead of the beginning of fall practices. This year, senior wide receiver Sahmir Hagans took home the trophy.
Clearly, this is a tradition that continued after Mike Elko's tenure in Durham ended, with current head coach Manny Diaz continuing to pass out the trophy on an annual basis.
- DeWayne Carter, 2022
- Graham Barton, 2023
- Nicky Dalmolin, 2024
- Sahmir Hagans, 2025
Carter went on to become a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, earning All-ACC honors in both 2022 and 2023.