Offense
The quarterback position took a major hit when Darian Mensah decided to transfer to Miami last minute (we all know what happened there). The Blue Devils added San Jose State transfer Walker Eget, who threw for 3,051 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Given the circumstances, they did good here.
The running back room returns Nate Sheppard, who had a fabulous freshman season, rushing for 1,132 yards and 11 touchdowns. The additions of CJ Campbell Jr. (Rutgers) and Wilhelm Daal II (Yale) give this team multiple backs to lean on.
The wide receiver room returns Jayden Moore and tight end Jeremiah Hasley. The Blue Devils will need transfers or young talent to emerge. The additions of Javen Nicholas (Charlotte), Jared Richardson (Penn), Jonah Burton (Idaho State), and tight end Nate Kurisky (Louisville) are big. Richardson had over 1,000 yards receiving at Penn last season.
The offensive line room returns experience in Matt Graycraft, Jordan Larsen, Micah Sahokion, Bradley Smith, Caleb Dorris, and Regan McCranie, among others. The additions of Braden Miller (California) and Nick Del Grande (Coastal Carolina) are massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room will need reserves to emerge in new roles. Tyshon Reed, David Anderson, Preston Watson, Bryce Davis, and Kevin O’Connor, among others, will have opportunities. The additions of Owen Wafle (Penn State) and Dakota Quinonez (Dartmouth) add more depth.
The linebacker room returns experience in Luke Mergott, Kendall Johnson, and Nick Morris Jr., among others. Expect Will Felder Jr. to play a major role as well. The addition of Jon Morris (UConn) provides added depth to this unit.
The secondary returns experience in DaShawn Stone, Kimari Robinson, Landon Callahan, and Leon Griffin III. The additions of Che Ojarikre (Stanford), Evan Smith (Northwestern), Kyon Loud (Montana), Patrick Smith-Young (North Texas), and Dylan Flowers (Western Kentucky) are massive.
Specialists
Punter Kade Reynoldson returns and is one of the best in college football. Kicker Cosme Salas will be the full-time place kicker this season, after being the kickoff specialist as a freshman. Jayden Moore and Nate Sheppare bring explosiveness as return men.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 Tulane
- 9/12 at Illinois
- 9/19 Stanford
- 9/26 William & Mary
- 10/10 at Georgia Tech
- 10/17 North Carolina
- 10/23 at Virginia
- 10/31 Boston College
- 11/7 at NC State
- 11/14 at Miami
- 11/20 Clemson
- 11/28 at Wake Forest
Final Analysis
Manny Diaz has built a great culture at Duke, which led the Blue Devils to winning their first ACC Title since 1989. With plenty of new faces, it could be difficult to repeat in 2026. Nate Sheppare is a good player to lean on offensively, as the rest of the team grows and gels.
