CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers director of player engagement and former Illinois offensive lineman Duke Preston is a Super Bowl champion. The Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 Sunday in Super Bowl LV on their home turf in Tampa Bay. 

Preston has been in his role with the Buccaneers since 2015, where he focuses on the personal and professional growth of players through guidance and support, with a focus in five core areas: career development, career transition assistance, continuing education, financial education and player assistance services. Previously, he worked as the Notre Dame football team's Director of Player Development (April 2014-February 2015) and Director of Student-Athlete Welfare & Development (January 2013-April 2014). Prior to joining Notre Dame, Preston worked as an Area Director/Program Spokesman for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (July 2010-January 2013).

Preston was drafted out of Illinois in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. In a four-year NFL career, he played in 59 games with 20 starts, spending time with the Bills, the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Preston earned a bachelor's degree in speech communication from the University of Illinois and began work on a master's degree in educational policy studies. Following his playing career, Preston earned a master's degree in Christian education from the Dallas Theological Seminary.