The selection process included a vote by members of the team.
“Although it was clear cut who the top four people were, I was really pleased that so many different people got votes,” said Cutcliffe. “We had numerous other candidates but those four separated themselves. They have taken on a role on the field and are continuing to try and grow and understand their role off the field as they learn how to be captains. I think it is a great tribute to Re’quan Boyette to be hurt at this time and still have his teammates trust in him and believe in his leadership.”
Boyette, a senior running back from Wilson, N.C., is out indefinitely with a knee injury. He led Duke in rushing in each of the past two seasons and has 1,072 career rushing yards to his credit.
"We picked four guys who want to go out and lead on and off the field," Boyette said. "We want to go out and do the right thing on and off the field. To take something from Coach Cutcliffe, leading and winning is an 'all-the-time thing'."
Rey, a junior linebacker from Far Rockaway, N.Y., is the leading returning tackler for the Blue Devils after carding 111 stops a season ago. In 2007, Rey ranked fifth in the ACC and 47th nationally in tackles per game (9.25) and was tied for second in the league with three caused fumbles.
Robinson, a tight end from Greenwich, Conn., was granted a sixth season of eligibility prior to the 2008 season. He has played in 38 career games at both Army and Duke and enters the year with career totals of 678 rushing yards and 445 receiving yards along with 11 touchdowns.
Tauiliili, a senior linebacker from Houston, Texas, is the ACC's active leader in both career tackles (294) and tackles for loss (33.0). A preseason All-ACC pick by several publications, he has secured over 90 tackles and 10.0 tackles for loss in each of his first three seasons as a Blue Devil.