King Kalama, an edge rusher from Pfafftown, became the first verbal commitment of Duke football’s 2027 recruiting class. The Reagan High standout pledged to Manny Diaz and the Blue Devils on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
“Blessed to announce my commitment to Duke,” Kalama posted on social media. “I’m blessed to be in this position.”
Duke offered the 6-2, 265-pound defensive lineman this past spring. Kalama was not ranked by the major recruiting services like 247Sports and On3 as of his commitment date, but that could change as he approaches his senior high school season.
Kalama had a monster junior campaign, recording 29.5 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks and 88 total tackles for a 10-win Reagan team that won a pair of 7A playoff contests.
This page tracks key moments in Kalama’s recruiting journey, including notable offers, on-field achievements, commitments and signing updates as they become known.
King Kalama Quick Facts
- Position: DL/Edge
- Height / Weight: 6-2, 165
- High School: Reagan High
- Hometown: Pfafftown, NC
- Class year: 2027
- 247Sports Composite Ranking: Was not ranked as of Dec. 17, 2025
- Current commitment status: Verbally committed to Duke on Dec. 16, 2025
Recruiting News & Nuggets
Duke offered Kalama in April 2025. He also reported offers from Wake Forest, East Carolina, Boston College and Northwestern during the 2025 cycle.
“The coaching staff believed in me early and recruited me hard,” Kalama told The Devils Den, a Duke 247Sports site. “I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere else like I did at Duke.”
Kalama could be chasing his former quarterback in a few years. Reagan High QB Jacob Smith is part of NC State’s 2025 recruiting class, signing with the Wolfpack in December.
Born in Democratic Republic of Congo. Knew no English when his family moved here. @king_kalama52 has only played football three years and already has made quite an impact for @RaidersFB @coachjtmcgee @RRHSAthletics @wsfcsathletics https://t.co/vaDe22SULa — Marc Pruitt (@Marc_Pruitt) December 3, 2025
Known Offer List
North Carolina Schools
- Duke
- Wake Forest
- East Carolina
Power 4 Schools
- Northwestern
- Boston College
Player Highlights
- Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and knew virtually no English when his family moved to the states.
- Received first-team Central Piedmont 7A/8A all-conference and Winston-Salem Journal all-area honors after his junior season at Reagan (2025).
- Recorded 88 tackles (48 solo stops), 29.5 tackles-for-loss, 33 quarterback hurries and 9.0 sacks in 2025, helping Reagan post a 10-3 record in the new 7A classification. Reagan won two playoff games.
- Lived in the backfield in a Sept. 19, 2025 game against Lake Norman, earning 6.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks and 3 QB hurries. He finished that game with 10 total tackles.
- Had 10+ tackles in five games during the 2025 season. Had at least 2 TFLs in eight different contests.
- Recorded 11.0 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and 49 total tackles as a sophomore in 2024.
- Reports a 3.6 GPA as of December 2025
🔗More NC Recruiting Coverage
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