Declan Duley

Position:
Punter
Height:
6-1
Weight:
215
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
El Paso, Ill.
High School:
El Paso-Gridley H.S.
Previous School:
Illinois
Twitter:
@DeclanDuley
Instagram:
@declan__duley

Transferred to Central Michigan after playing two years at Illinois … Enrolled at Central Michigan in January 2025.

2025

As a redshirt sophomore, saw action in all 13 games as Central Michigan’s punter … Finished the year with a 41.1 yards per punt average (54-2221) with 25 fair catches, 18 placed inside the 20-yard line, and eight 50-yard punts … Season and career-long punt was a 71-yarder that ranks as the 12^th longest in school history and was believed to be the longest collegiate punt in the history at Accrisure Stadium … Averaged 44.3 yards per punt (4-177) in the GameAbove Sports Bowl vs. Northwestern (12/26) … Averaged 51.3 yards per punt (4-205) in season finale vs. Toledo (11/29) … Kicked five punts for 205 yards at Kent State (11/19) … Averaged 40.0 yards per punt (career-high 6-240) vs. Buffalo (11/12) … Averaged 42.3 yards per punt (4-169) at Akron (10/4) … Kicked four punts for 162 yards vs. Wagner (9/20) … Finished with a 45.3 yards per punt average (4-181) with a career-long of 71 yards at Pittsburgh (9/6) … In debut, kicked five punts for 198 yards in season opener at San Jose State (8/29).

2024

As a redshirt freshman, saw action in one game … Saw action in the Citrus Bowl for Illinois vs. South Carolina (Dec. 31, 2024).

2023

As a true freshman punter, did not play in a game … Earned redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL

A 2023 graduate of El Paso-Gridley High School, where he played four years of varsity football for head coach Tanner Benedict … All-American punter … Ranked the No. 12 punting prospect in the nation by Kohl’s Kicking … Named a Peoria Journal-Star All-Area selection as a senior … Named a 2022 MaxPreps Small Town All-America High School Football Team … Earned 2022 IHSFCA All-State honorable mention honors … Unanimous Heart of Illinois Conference First-Team All-Conference kicker/punter as a senior … Three-time Central State 8 All-Conference honoree (First Team as a sophomore and honorable mention as a junior) … Earned Central State 8 Academic All-Conference honors … Ranked the nation’s No. 1 punter as a senior … Averaged 38.3 yards per punt average on 26 punts with a long of 64 yards, converted 29-30 extra points, and hit a 52-yard field goal during senior season … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, and On3 and two-star recruit by Rivals … Ranked the No. 2 punter in the nation by 247sports and No. 27 by ESPN.com … Rated the state’s No. 38 recruit by ESPN.com and No. 54 by 247sports.com.

PERSONAL

Born Declan Duley on September 8, 2004 … Son of Brian and Becky Duley … Has one brother, Celestino … Originally was recruited by Illinois, Miami, Fla., Michigan State, Army West Point, Kansas, and Troy … Plans to major in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism.

ARTICLES
Illinois football player Declan Duley enters NCAA transfer portal
Illinois football player from El Paso inspired by visit with injured boy from Eureka
COMMIT: Illini land highly-ranked in-state punter Declan Duley
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