Team

PRO:
Drafted by the Bills with the 21st pick in the fourth round (122nd overall) in the 2005 draft…was the first true center taken by the Bills in the draft since the team selected Tom Nutten in the seventh round in 1995…is also the first center drafted out of Illinois since Tim Simpson was drafted by the Browns in the 12th round (329 overall) in 1992.

2007:
•Served as a key player on special teams and a valuable reserve on the offensive line
•Served as the team’s only active reserve interior lineman for the final 13 games
•Saw most of his playing time on special teams

COLLEGE:
A highly intelligent athlete, Preston is a classic technician who allowed only one sack in his final two seasons at Illinois…was a three-year starter who started every game he played in over the last three seasons. As a senior in 2004, he finished with 74 knockdowns while allowing no quarterback sacks, despite most of the offensive unit struggling all year…As a senior, he was one of the few bright spots on the team, showing much better dominance vs. top-level competition…Graduated in May 2004 with a degree in speech communication.

PERSONAL:
Attended Mt. Carmel (San Diego, Calif.) High School, playing football for coach Gary Jolk … lettered four times in football and baseball…twice earned San Diego Tribune academic honors… named to the PrepStar All-West team and was twice selected first-team All-Palomar League…added first-team all-county and All-North County honors as voted by the North County Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune…named his team's Most Valuable Player in 1999…voted team lineman of the year for his junior and senior seasons…an avid golfer and carries a three handicap, finished third in the Drew Brees Professional Open…son of Raymond Preston Jr. and Susan Preston…father played for nine years with the San Diego Chargers and was a Kodak All-American for Syracuse University…Full name: Raymond Newton Preston III.

COMMUNITY:
Duke has been a steadfast supporter of the children at Northwest Buffalo Community Center since attending the Rookie Club visit there several years ago.  He regularly visits with the young people and annually attends their Thanksgiving celebration dinner.  Duke received a special award from the Community Center in November 2007 to thank him for his support of the center and dedication to the children.