Duke Football Early Signing Day Tracker: Every Player Coming to the Program in 2026

Follow along as Duke builds its 2026 recruiting class during the Early Signing Period. This real-time tracker features every official signee, individual breakdowns, position group insights, and how the class stacks up nationally.

Duke is focused on bringing an ACC Championship back to Durham on Saturday, but Manny Diaz is still hoping to secure the 2026 recruiting class this week. The current class ranks 65th in the nation with 15 commits, according to 247 Sports.

Full List of 2026 Early Signees

Sep 10, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A Duke Blue Devils helmet sits on an equipment chest during the third quarter of the game against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

Name	Position	Height	Weight	High School	Hometown	Star Rating (247 Sports)	Early Signee?
Sean Stover	IOL	6-foot-2.5	275 pounds	Prosper HS	Prosper, TX	4 ★	Yes
Obinna Umeh	EDGE	6-foot-3	225 pounds	St. Thomas HS	Houston, TX	3 ★	Yes
Terry Walker III	QB	6-foot-3.5	193 pounds	Hamilton Southeastern HS	Fishers, IN	3 ★	Yes
Lyrik Pettis	S	6-foot-1	175 pounds	Crest HS	Shelby, NC	3 ★	Yes
CJ Givers	RB	5-foot-11	195 pounds	Fellowship Christian School	Roswell, GA	3 ★	Yes
Kavon Conciauro	WR	6-foot-3	195 pounds	Houston County HS	Warner Robins, GA	3 ★	Yes
Colsen Gatten	LB	6-foot-1	215 pounds	Central Catholic HS	Pittsburgh, PA	3 ★	Yes
Ayden Cain	DL	6-foot-2	272 pounds	Gainesville HS	Gainesville, GA	3 ★	Yes
Tyson Sanford	S	5-foot-11	182 pounds	Peachtree Ridge HS	Suwanee, GA	3 ★	Yes
Ben Moseley	TE	6-foot-5	210 pounds	Cherokee County HS	Centre, AL	3 ★	Yes
Brody Keefe	WR	6-foot-3	193 pounds	Myers Park HS	Charlotte, NC	3 ★	Yes
Jayvian Tanelus	RB	5-foot-9	190 pounds	Community School of Naples	Naples, FL	3 ★	Yes
Chadwicke Cannon	DL	6-foot-1	275 pounds	Spruce Creek HS	Port Orange, FL	3 ★	Yes
KD Cotton	S	5-foot-9	185 pounds	Weddington HS	Matthews, NC	3 ★	Yes
Gavin Strange	K	5-foot-11	170 pounds	Southlake Carroll HS	Southlake, TX	3 ★

Position-by-Position Breakdown

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz runs out before the first half of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Duke has an even class, with seven players each on offense and defense, and one kicker. The Blue Devils added a significant amount of depth in the skill-position department on offense, adding a pair of running backs and a pair of receivers with a quarterback and a tight end. Duke was aggressive in the transfer portal in the previous cycle, and I would expect that again this season, making much of this class depth for the 2026 season.

Offense

The Blue Devils did add a quarterback in the 2026 class, hopefully to sit behind Darian Mensah next season. Terry Walker III, a three-star quarterback, has already shut down his recruitment and will sign. CJ Givers and Jayvian Tanelus are similar tailbacks in style, and Duke paired them with a trio of huge targets in the passing game. 6-foot-3 receivers Kavon Conciauro and Brody Keefe join the class alongside 6-foot-5 tight end Ben Moseley.

Sean Stover is the only offensive lineman the Blue Devils are bringing in, but he is the highest-rated player in the class. He's athletic as a center, but with Duke center Matt Craycraft returning, he could see some play time at guard, even though both of Duke's starting guards are returning as well. He doesn't have the size to play tackle, but he could be a great sixth lineman for the Blue Devils in year one.

Defense

The Blue Devils lost one of their best defenders in the class in EDGE Dane Bathurst, who recently decommitted and turned to Oklahoma shortly after. Obinna Umeh is the only other edge rusher in the class. With Duke losing Vincent Anthony Jr. this offseason, it's likely Umeh steps in as a backup next season with a chance to play later in the season.

Duke added a trio of safeties in the 2026 class, with Lyrik Pettis headlining the group as a three-star from Shelby, North Carolina. Duke will be replacing some starters in the secondary with expiring eligibility, but its tough to see any of the three getting on the field early without an outstanding fall camp.

In the front seven, Duke brought in two interior defensive linemen and one linebacker. Chadwicke Cannon, a three-star defensive tackle for Port Orange, Florida, has already locked down his recruitment and is very strong at 275 pounds with experience as a weight lifter. Aydin Cain, another defensive tackle from Gainesville, Georgia, is a better pass rusher.

Special Teams

With Todd Pelino headed out the door, there is a chance Duke's freshman kicker gets a shot at the starting job out of the gate. Three-star kicker Gavin Strange from Southlake, Texas, is the No. 6 kicker in the country, according to 247 Sports.

Top Commitments in the Class

Sean Stover, OL, Prosper HS (Prosper, TX)

6-foot-2 1/2, 275 pounds

4 ★, 90 player rating, not nationally ranked (247 Sports)

Committed to Duke on May 30, 2025

Received offer and visited Michigan, also holds offers from Kansas, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh

Obinna Umeh, EDGE, St. Thomas HS (Houston, TX)

6-foot-3, 225 pounds

3 ★, 88 rating, not nationally ranked (247 Sports)

Committed to Duke on June 26, 2025

Received offer and visited Stanford, also holds offers from Army, Georgia Tech, Colorado State

Confirmed Early Signees

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz reacts during the third quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Chadwicke Cannon, Defensive Line – Spruce Creek HS (Port Orange, FL)

Height/Weight: 6'1", 275 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 130

Notable Offers: UConn, Tulane, West Virginia

Strengths: weightlifting background, capable pass rusher, strong run defender

Ben Moseley, Tight End – Cherokee County HS (Centre, AL)

Height/Weight: 6'5", 210 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 69

Notable Offers: Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt

Strengths: frame, great hands, evasive after the catch, physical blocker

Lyrik Pettis, Safety – Crest HS (Shelby, NC)

Height/Weight: 6'1", 175 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 77

Notable Offers: NC State, North Carolina, Wake Forest

Strengths: can play from the slot, solid run defender, instinctive in the secondary

KD Cotton, Safety – Weddington HS (Matthews, NC)

Height/Weight: 5'9", 185 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 110

Notable Offers: NC State, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Kentucky, Miami

Strengths: great tackler, strong ball skills, super athletic, played quarterback in high school

Obinna Umeh, EDGE – St. Thomas HS (Houston, TX)

Height/Weight: 6'3", 225 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 60

Notable Offers: Stanford, Army, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech

Strengths: high-motor edge rusher, plays behind the line of scrimmage, possesses finesse pass rush moves

Ayden Cain, Defensive Line – Gainesville HS (Gainesville, GA)

Height/Weight: 6'2", 272 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 113

Notable Offers: Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest

Strengths: short-area quickness, excellent pass rusher from the interior, uses leverage to his advantage

Jayvian Tanelus, Running Back – Community School of Naples (Naples, FL)

Height/Weight: 5'9", 190 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 68

Notable Offers: UCF, Georgia Tech, Purdue

Strengths: track speed, athleticism, strong after contact

CJ Givers, Running Back – Fellowship Christian School (Roswell, GA)

Height/Weight: 5'11", 195 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 43

Notable Offers: NC State, Georgia Tech, Indiana

Strengths: strong pass-catcher, three-down player, shifty in the open field

Kavon Conciauro, Wide Receiver – Houston Country HS (Warner Robins, GA)

Height/Weight: 6'3", 195 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 125

Notable Offers: Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Auburn, Florida State

Strengths: ability to win 50/50 balls, large catch radius, route-running

Brody Keefe, Wide Receiver – Myers Park HS (Charlotte, NC)

Height/Weight: 6'3", 193 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 164

Notable Offers: Appalachian State, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, East Carolina

Strengths: large frame, can win in man coverage on the outside, strong hands

Tyson Sanford, Safety – Peachtree Ridge HS (Suwanee, GA)

Height/Weight: 5'11", 182 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 102

Notable Offers: Michigan State, Wake Forest, Cincinnati

Strengths: top-end speed, can play boundary corner as well, great athleticism

Colsen Gatten, Linebacker – Central Catholic HS (Pittsburgh, PA)

Height/Weight: 6'1", 215 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 72

Notable Offers: Pittsburgh, Arizona, Indiana

Strengths: strong tackler, has ball skills in coverage, high football IQ

Terry Walker III, Quarterback – Hamilton Southeastern HS (Fishers, IN)

Height/Weight: 6'3.5", 193 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 36

Notable Offers: Appalachian State, Indiana, Virginia

Strengths: dual-threat ability, great arm strength, ability to make plays outside of the pocket and off-platform

Sean Stiver, Center – Prosper HS (Prosper, TX)

Height/Weight: 6'2.5", 275 lbs

Star Rating: ★★★★ (247Sports), Position Rank: No. 19

Notable Offers: Michigan, Kansas, Oregon, Pittsburgh

Strengths: athleticism that amplifies versatility, strong and consistent striking, impressive strength

Recruiting Surprises, Flips & Misses

DeShawn Spencer, WR, Saraland HS (Saraland, AL)

Flipped to Auburn on Dec. 2, 2025

Dane Bathurst, DE, Carmel HS (Carmel, IN)

Decommitted on Nov. 13, 2025 (now committed to Oklahoma)

Jayden Boyd, CB, Westwood HS (Blythewood, SC)

Decommitted on Oct. 12, 2025

Jude Hall, WR, Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville, SC)

Decommitted on March 13, 2025

Historical Context & Class Ranking

Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz on the field for warm up before the start of the game against the UConn Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Duke has never been a prolific recruiting force, largely because the football program is still rising. The Blue Devils would have a much better class this year if they could have kept a few of their decommitments, but the Blue Devils are more inclined to reload the roster through the transfer portal.

The Blue Devils finished 37th nationally last season, but will take a significant step back this season with a much smaller class coming in for 2026.

All rankings per 247 Sports.

Year	National Ranking	Conference Ranking	Avg. Player Rating
2026	65th	16th	87.31
2025	37th	5th	86.92
2024	59th	14th	86.65
2023	68th	10th	85.64
2022	61st	8th	86.07
2021	59th	12th	85.63
2020	55th	13th	85.41