Ayden Cain
Freshman defensive tackle on Duke's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
6′1″ · 280 lb · Gainesville, GA · Gainesville
Recruiting
DL recruit
No. 921 nationally · Signed with Duke
No college snaps yet.
His full recruiting profileThe story
1 defensive tackle on Duke's roster. No game stats recorded yet.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Duke in 2026.
Ayden Cain
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
His career
2026
- Signed with Duke3-star out of Gainesville
Career arc
Splits & context
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Manny Diaz
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
A three-star recruit at defensive lineman for Duke -- now graded to hold down a real role up front.
He hasn't recorded a college stat yet. Here's what we know about him.
Grades highest in tackling and block shedding.
Duke has produced 5 All-Conference defensive linemen. 3 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2021. DeWayne Carter went on to the NFL out of this room (2024).
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Duke
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive tackle · Duke
Returning around him
- 3 Duke players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +2 net (19 in / 17 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Duke · Last season: 9-5 · Talent rank #69 · 2026 recruiting class #71
Background
2026: Incoming defensive tackle … enrolled at Duke in January 2026. PRIOR TO DUKE: Lettered one season at Gainesville under head coach Josh Niblett after lettering three seasons at Dutchtown in Hampton, Georgia, under head coach Niketa Battle … rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com,ESPN.co...
The defensive line · Duke
- #10Tyshon Reed3 tackles for loss · 2025
- #95Preston Watson3 tackles for loss · 2025
- #12Bryce Davis2 tackles for loss · 2025
- #15Kevin O'Connor1 tackle for loss · 2025
- #97Ayden Cainno box-score line yet
12 more on the roster · Duke team page