Dave Harding

Classroom

Harding graduated from Duke in May, 2013, with a degree in public policy and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in political science. Harding also minored in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies as an undergraduate, an area of interest he cultivated during his youth when he performed mission work abroad with his family. Harding also speaks Arabic.

Character

Harding was named to the AFCA Good Works Team this season, becoming one of only 11 FCS players in the country to earn the prestigious community service and character-based honor. Harding grew up the son of missionaries and has carried that mission of helping others into his own life. Despite balancing his academic and athletic workload, Harding has maintained his commitment to community service both in the local Durham community and overseas. The fact that he has excelled in all three facets of academic, athletics and community service is a testament to Harding’s character.

Community

Harding’s most well-known community service project was the organization and execution of a mission trip for he and 10 of his teammates to Ethiopia to dig wells for a remote village with no local fresh water supply. During that trip in the summer of 2012, Harding and his teammates completed one well and began digging another to alleviate the village’s burden of collecting fresh water from a source more than a mile away.

However, Harding is also involved in a number of other community efforts, including INJAZ, a Duke student organization that helps Iraqi refugees establish themselves in the Raleigh-Durham area. Harding, who speaks Arabic, assists the refugees in learning the English language.

Harding is also an active volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, Duke Children’s Hospital and Camp Kaleidoscope.

Competition

Harding has been a mainstay of the Duke offensive line throughout his career and has started 33 games, including 23 in a row. He has started all six games of 2013 at left guard, paving the way for a balanced Duke offense that averages 448.8 total yards per game, including 183.2 rushing and 265.7 passing with 14 rushing scores and 14 passing touchdowns. Harding has played center and guard and is also available to play tackle, making him one of the most valuable assets on Duke’s roster. Last season, Harding helped the Blue Devils score a school-record 50 touchdowns, including 18 on the ground and 27 through the air. Harding and his fellow offensive linemen allowed just 19 sacks all season, good for one sack every 29.00 pass attempts which ranked 20th in the nation.