Cornell transfer OL Micah Sahakian commits to Duke

Former Cornell offensive lineman Micah Sahakian has committed to Duke, via the NCAA Transfer Portal.

He spent four seasons at Cornell, making 30 appearances and 19 starts. Sahakian earned All-Ivy Second Team honors this season. In his junior campaign, he was an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection.

Sahakian did not start any games his sophomore season, but appeared in all 10 contests as a reserve on the offensive line and on special teams. He did not play at all his freshman year because the season was canceled due to COVID.

Micah Sahakian played high school football at Prospect (IL), where he was an unranked prospect in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He is the seventh player Duke has added in the transfer portal this offseason. Former Holy Cross Crusaders offensive lineman Eric Schon committed on the same day as Sahakian. The pair will be responsible for protecting Duke’s most highly-touted transfer, former Texas QB Maalik Murphy.

Micah Sahakian will protect Maalik Murphy

Murphy committed to Duke on Dec. 22. He was the first significant transfer head coach Manny Diaz landed. After Murphy announced his decision, ESPN’s Pete Thamel weighed in on what Murphy will mean to Duke.

“Well, it’s a huge decision for the future of Duke Football, because Maalik Murphy gives them a lynchpin player for Manny Diaz to build around,” Thamel said.

“What a building block he is. Six-foot-five, 240 pounds, a big arm with a ton of arm talent, and Murphy has three full years of eligibility remaining. That means, when you think of Duke Football the next three years, there’s a really good chance that Maalik Murphy is going to be the heartbeat of that team.”

In the 2023 campaign, Murphy was 40-for-71 with 477 yards and three touchdowns over three interceptions. During the Longhorns’ win over Texas Tech, Murphy sustained an injury when he was hit by two Texas players blocking a member of the Red Raider kickoff team.

“For Manny Diaz, it not only an early victory and some identity, but it also shows that Duke has the willingness to spend in Name, Image and Likeness. South Carolina was involved in his recruitment, Baylor was involved in his recruitment, Oregon State. So a significant win for Duke. He’s the highest-rated quarterback to commit to Duke since ESPN began recruiting rankings in 2006.”