Victor Dimukeje, 2017, Boys’ Latin School
by Derek Toney
Victor Dimukeje wants to be a Physician Assistant.
“I want to do something related to the medical field, and [my major] talks about evolution of humans and stuff, so I’m kind of interested in that,” he said.
However, football, specifically the NFL, could be Dimukeje’s immediate future. The former Boys’ Latin School star is VSN’s No. 3 Defensive Linemen of the Decade.
Dimukeje recently completed his senior campaign at Duke University. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end had 44 tackles (11.5 for loss) and 7.5 sacks for the Blue Devils.
Dimukeje fell a half-sack shy of the school career record – 22, set in 1981. In addition to his 21.5 career sacks, Dimukeje totaled 166 tackles, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Getting to the quarterback was Victor Dimukeje’s speciality while playing football for Duke University. The former Boys’ Latin standout finished second all-time in sacks for the Blue Devils.
“I don’t play for stats or accolades—I play to do my job and to win games, and the rest comes with that,” said Dimukeje, a preseason candidate of the Bronco Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards as college football’s top defensive player. “So, I’ve just tried to get better each and every year, play consistent, do my job and play for my teammates.”
Dimukeje didn’t start playing football until he was in eighth grade. He played on New Town’s junior varsity his freshman year, then transferred to Boys’ Latin.
“He had a ton of potential,” longtime Lakers coach Ritchie Schell said.
Division I college programs also noticed Dimukeje’s upside. Scholarship letters piled up in Schell’s office after Dimukeje, who also played offensive tackle, posted 62 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.
A consensus three-star prospect, Dimukeje finished with 72 tackles and 10.5 sacks in his senior campaign on Lake Avenue. Despite offers from College Football Playoff participants Notre Dame and Michigan State, Dimukeje chose Duke, giving him the opportunity to play Power 5 football while helping him achieve his academic goals.
He said playing in the MIAA helped prepare him for the next level.
“There’s a lot of talent that comes from Baltimore, so just being from that area helped me grow,” said Dimukeje, who was a two-time All-MIAA B Conference selection and helped the Lakers to the league final his senior season.
Dimukeje was the Blue Devils’ “Iron Man,” starting every contest (49 games) during his career. His 3.5 sack performance this past season against Boston College is second-most in Duke football history.
Dimukeje’s pass rushing acumen makes him a potential second or third day selection in this spring’s NFL Draft. He earned a Bachelor’s in Evolutionary Anthropology in 3 1/2 years.
Victor Dimukeje (left) got to play against former BL teammate Dom Maggio in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Maggio, who starred at Wake Forest, is VSN’s No. 1 Kicker/Punter of the Decade.
Dimukeje, who’s hoping to wear a professional football jersey before trading in for a white coat, cherished his time at Duke.
“I pride myself on that, because I go out there with the feeling of giving it my all, practicing with my teammates and playing with my teammates,” said Dimukeje, a honorable mention All-ACC selection the past season. “Just being able to go out there all four years and do what I love for my teammates and start every game, that’s a special feeling.”
No. 1 Linebacker: Micah Kiser, 2013, Gilman School
No. 2 Linebacker: Shane Lee, 2019, St. Frances Academy
No. 3 Linebacker: Wyatt Cook, 2015, McDonogh School
No. 1 Defensive Back: Adrian Amos, 2011, Calvert Hall College
No. 2 Defensive Back: Josh Woods, 2014, McDonogh School
No. 3 Defensive Back: Eric Burrell, 2016, McDonogh School
No. 4 Defensive Back: Deon-Tay McManus, 2012, Dunbar
No. 1 Quarterback: Thomas Stuart, 2012, Calvert Hall College
No. 2 Quarterback: Kurt Rawlings, 2016, John Carroll School
No. 1 Punter/Kicker: Dom Maggio, 2016, Boys’ Latin School
No. 1 Athlete: Cyrus Jones, 2012, Gilman School
No. 2 Athlete: Darius Jennings, 2011, Gilman School
No. 3 Athlete: Deonte Harris, 2015, Archbishop Curley
No. 1 Running Back: Blake Corum, 2019, St. Frances/St. Vincent Pallotti
No. 2 Running Back: Wande Owens, 2019, Glenelg
No. 1 Wide Receiver: Steven Smothers, 2016, Franklin
No. 2 Wide Receiver: Ethon Williams, 2019, Broadneck
No. 1 Offensive Lineman: Donovan Smith, 2011, Owings Mills
No. 2 Offensive Lineman: Devery Hamilton, 2016, Gilman School
