Football

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Trell Harris (11) runs the ball against Duke Blue Devils defensive end Tyshon Reed (10) during the third quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Duke Blue Devils On SI reporter Jared Feinberg begins his examination of Duke's uncertain pass rush with a returning edge rusher.

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Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz celebrates defeating the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Duke football may have found their replacement for former star offensive tackle Brian Parker II through the transfer portal.

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

This Duke pass rusher could make a name for himself in 2026.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) runs the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Sheppard is coming off a stellar freshman season with Duke.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz lifts the ACC trophy with offensive lineman Justin Pickett (77) and defensive tackle Aaron Hall (99) after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers at the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

This Duke quarterback could be a sleeper to watch.

Aug 29, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers wide receiver Javen Nicholas (5) runs for yards after catch defended by Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Ethan Johnson (2) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Duke On SI reporter Jared Feinberg breaks down the tape to explore what Duke's newest pass-catcher provides for Jonathan Brewer's offense.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz takes questions after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Blue Devils take on a few of the ACC's best this upcoming season. There is one reason why they can beat each of them.

Nov 29, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

We spoke with a 2028 3-star Duke football recruiting target about what he thinks about the Blue Devils so far.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

This running back has a chance to feed behind Nate Sheppard.

Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz during the fourth quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

With 14 incoming freshmen, it's always best to get a better picture of the ceiling and floors of each rookie for the Duke Blue Devils football program ahead of 2026.

Duke football is coming off back-to-back nine-win seasons. Another successful year could put the Blue Devils on a whole new level.

New preseason honors have been released for Duke football. Blue Devils On SI reporter Jared Feinberg breaks it all down, including who may have just missed out.

Nov 29, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose State Spartans quarterback Walker Eget (5) looks for a pass against the Stanford Cardinal in the fourth quarter at CEFCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Whether they are newcomers or roster mainstays, these three Duke Blue Devils have much to prove this upcoming season.

Manny Diaz, head football coach at Duke, celebrates a 42-29 win with his team against Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

Duke is one of the trickier teams to project heading into next season.

Welcome to the 2026 Duke Football Top 30 Players Countdown!

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on during warm ups prior to the the 2025 ACC Championship game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Things could get better (or worse) for the Duke Blue Devils' defense in 2026, and any scenario is possible.

Duke Blue Devils tight end Jeremiah Hasley (85) catches a pass Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during the NCAA football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

Analyzing the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Blue Devils' offense in 2026 could help temper expectations for the program ahead of the regular season.

Jan 2, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on against the Mississippi Rebels in the second quarter during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

In preparation for the upcoming season, the Blue Devils must be prepared for the worst possible outcomes.

Sep 27, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz on the sidelines in the second quarter game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Last year's recruiting class could set the tone for Duke football in the coming seasons, which means expectations will be raised.

Nov 30, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz on the sideline during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Blue Devils may have aced their 2025 recruiting class with potential star power at pass rusher, potentially giving them a shining light for the fall.

Nov 29, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils linebacker Luke Mergott (34) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Duke must find its standouts on defense. It could come from their linebackers in 2026.

Oct 4, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz awaits the resumption of play against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Manny Diaz's talented 2025 recruiting class has one player who could be an invaluable asset in 2026. It could make him the biggest X-factor this season.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz celebrates defeating the Virginia Cavaliers at the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Duke football recruiting team is steadily approaching the top 25 in the cycle.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz high-fives players Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, during the NCAA football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

The Blue Devils could have a strong offensive front thanks to the addition of this key transfer.

Manny Diaz, head football coach at Duke, shouts during the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Arizona State at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

The Blue Devils will look to live up to expectations next season.

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