Duke Dolphin: Got name, got game

Anyone named Duke Dolphin is destined to attract attention. But Dolphin, a senior at Lake Stevens High School, doesn't just have a catchy name; he also has major talent.

After missing the entire 2009 football season because of a knee injury, the versatile running back/linebacker can't wait to play a game again. He is expected to make a huge impact all over the field this fall for Lake Stevens, which should be one of the best teams in the Class 4A Western Conference North Division. Learn more about Dolphin -- including the origin of his name and why he loves football -- in this Q-and-A interview.

Q: You have an unusual name. How often do people ask you about it?

A: A lot of people always ask me about it. A lot of people think I was named after the college, Duke University. But it was really just my uncle thought of it. He's Hawaiian and Duke (Kahanamoku) was the big surfer. He thought that would be pretty cool. It's so original that a lot of people think Duke Dolphin is a good sports name.

Q: Are you a good swimmer?

A: Yeah. My grandma owns a dock across the street from (a lake) so I'm used to being around the water. I'm not much of a wakeboarder, but I like to swim.

Q: What were the highlights of your summer, in terms of football?

A: The summer went pretty well. Basically, since my surgery I've just been working out and rehabbing my knee. I've gained like 25 pounds since my sophomore year.

I went to the Nike Combine down in Portland in June and I got the overall top SPARQ rating there. You do four events: the 40-yard dash, your vertical jump, the 5-10-5 shuttle run and they also have the power-ball toss.

Q: What was your 40 time?

A: At the combine I ran 4.5 and my vertical was 33 inches. [In August, Dolphin ran the 40 in 4.46 seconds.]

Q: Tell me about the knee injury you are coming back from.

A: I got injured [torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee] a week before our first game last year and I had surgery (Oct. 1). I rehabbed for five months after surgery. My uncle works at Everett Physical Therapy and I went there and he just beat the crap out of me.

Q: Have you had any other serious injuries?

A: When I was 11 I broke my femur but that's about it. I was playing football.

Q: With everything you've been through, what is it about football that keeps you coming back?

A: I love the physicality of it and that you can beat the other guy. Football's just definitely my favorite sport.

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: I played basketball and baseball sophomore year. I didn't get to play either last year because of my injury, but this [school year] I'll either play baseball or track and I'll probably try basketball again.

Q: What kind of college recruiting interest have you had?

A: The Nike combined helped a bit but mainly I've just been getting a few letters from not the big colleges. Not a bunch of interest, actually, because your junior year is a big year for recruiting so this year I just have to, the first few games, really show my skill and hopefully get some more attention.

Q: What position would you like to play in college?

A: After high school, I'll probably switch to more of a slot receiver, or a strong safety or outside linebacker.

Q: What are your best skills on the football field?

A: I've always had really good footwork. That helps on defense, being able to move my feet and get in the right position, and on offense -- I've always been able to juke the other guy out usually. You've got to have quick feet in football, and that's what I've worked on a lot.

Q: What is it like playing in Lake Stevens' fast-paced spread offense?

A: It's a lot of fun putting up a lot of points. Our defense should be pretty solid this year. As long as we can put up a lot of points and the defense holds them to a few, we should do pretty good.

Q: How excited are you to get back on the field for a varsity game?

A: At team camp at Central Washington this summer it felt great to get back on the field and hit somebody who's not one of your friends and actually lay somebody out. Last year it was just horrible having to watch every single game and not being able to help at all. I put in a lot of work in to get ready and I got it all taken away because of my injury. Now I'm ready to play.

Q: Who are your most talented teammates?

A: [Senior receiver/defensive back] Brandon Preslar is going to be a key factor this year. He's tall (6-3), he's got good hands and he's got some D-I looks.

Our left tackle Gunnar Eklund is good. He's gotten some D-I looks and could easily go D-I for sure because he works hard because he works hard and he's got the size at 6-6, 285. You'll probably be hearing a lot about him.

Sophomore year he didn't play and last year he came back. He started the last four games but the reason he didn't get as much attention is because he didn't start the entire year. He's been working hard and this season he'll come out and get a lot of pancake [blocks].

He actually thinks he should be playing tight end, and if he was a little faster he probably could. He's got really good hands. He's a surprisingly athletic guy for how big he is. He can throw the ball just as far as our quarterback and he's got just as good hands as me and Brandon, or better. He's got quick feet for a lineman.

Q: What is your team's best rivalry game?

A: Snohomish has always been our biggest rival because they are nearby. I'd say Marysville has gotten a lot more heated over the last couple years.

Q: What will be going through your head before your first game of the season? [Lake Stevens plays Cascade Friday at Everett Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is 5 p.m.]

A: I'll probably be a little nervous because it's my first varsity game back [since 2008] but I think being nervous is actually better because it gets you more ready, more prepared for what's to come. I'm excited to get out there under the lights, hearing the crowd cheering. I miss that -- the whole atmosphere of it.

Q: Who is your favorite football player?

A: I like [University of Washington quarterback] Jake Locker because of his attitude. He's just a good overall person and works hard all the time.

Q: What do you spend time doing outside of football?

A: I go to youth group and go to church. I actually just bought a guitar and I'm going to learn how to play that and sing a little bit. I like acoustic music, sort of like the slow, love song-type thing. I've written poems before so I think I could write a pretty good song.

Q: How do you like Lake Stevens' renovated stadium?

A: Oh, I love it. There's a brand-new, huge scoreboard out there. It makes it a little more exciting. I know a lot of people are going to come to watch the first game in the new stadium. [Lake Stevens['] home opener is Sept. 17 against non-league foe Inglemoor.]

Q: What is your pre-game routine?

A: I always like to put music on for the team so we can get jacked up. We always warm up together without the coaches so we can just get mentally prepared.

Q: Do have a mentor, someone who has really inspired you?

A: My mom [Tauna Dolphin] has been a big difference in my life. She's really strong and she's always told me she wants me to be well-rounded and a good person to everyone. She's a big mentor in my life. She wants me to play football as much as I want, but afterward make sure I'm still set. I want to go to college and become a doctor.