June 7, 2002

Ray Farmer, a former All-America safety who served as Duke's Academic Coordinator for Football the past year, has departed the Blue Devil staff to accept a scouting position with the Atlanta Falcons. He will be a pro scouting assistant with the NFL organization.

A three-year NFL veteran, Farmer returned to Duke in the fall of 2001 after spending three years as a television sports analyst with Comcast Sports Network and as a radio personality with WFNZ in Charlotte, N.C.

The two-time first team All-ACC selection set an NCAA record as a sophomore in 1993 with five blocked PAT kicks. Farmer, who helped the Blue Devils to the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl, also garnered third team All-America and Academic All-ACC honors in 1994.

As a senior in 1995, Farmer led Duke in tackles with 111 and was the recipient of the Carmen Falcone Team MVP Award. He closed his collegiate career with an NCAA-record eight blocked PAT kicks and currently ranks tied for ninth on Duke's all-time pass breakup list with 17.

After participating in both the East-West Shrine and Blue-Gray Classic all-star games, Farmer was a fourth-round pick by Philadelphia in the 1996 NFL Draft and played three seasons with the Eagles from 1996-98.

Farmer, 27, earned a bachelor of science degree from Duke in 1996.