Football

Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

This former Duke defensive tackle shone a light on the Blue Devils football program in his latest interview.

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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

Despite significant roster turnover, the Blue Devils have the pieces in place to compete in the ACC and return to a bowl game next season.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) scores during the second half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images

Arch rivals and all, Week 7 will teach the world a lot about who both programs are during the 2026 season.

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.

Let's break down the best and worst case scenarios for Duke football in 2026.

Nov 30, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle Preston Watson (95) tries to elude Wake Forest Demon Deacons offensive lineman Erik Russell (72) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Losing a two-time team captain is never easy to replace, and Duke is attempting to do that after Hall's departure.

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

After a program-defining championship season, Duke must replace key departures while competing in one of the most competitive ACCs in recent memory.

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

The Blue Devils will be lucky to have their returning starting linebackers for the 2026 season.

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 3-star tackle has scheduled an official visit to Durham despite the Blue Devils not appearing on his initial top six list.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Jeremiah Hasley (85) scores a touchdown during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images

The Blue Devils may have one of the country's best tight ends this season, which is great news for Duke's offense in 2026.

Penn's Jared Richardson gets the Quakers on the board with a 18-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter at Delaware Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

The Duke Blue Devils' new additions at wide receiver could open the door to relief for a specific key starter.

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.

Following the NFL Draft, Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz's priorities for 2026 come into focus.

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

He might not be eligible, but this Duke Blue Devil has a chance to be a future first-round pick in a couple of years.

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke defensive back Chandler Rivers (DB28) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The former Duke cornerback is already being mentioned as a candidate for early playing time with the Ravens.

As the Blue Devils reload after their ACC Championship season, this true freshman is already drawing attention as a day-one pass rush option.

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

These members of the Duke Blue Devils football program could thrive in 2026 after the NFL Draft.

Sep 20, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz interacts with safety Ma'khi Jones (26) during the first quarter against the NC State Wolfpack at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

These three players will be critical to Duke's football success after losing talent to the NFL Draft.

These incoming transfers for the Duke Blue Devils football team will have an impact, one way or another.

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz reacts with defensive tackle Aaron Hall (99) in the first quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

No matter what, Duke will feel the impacts of these players' departures in 2026.

Sep 24, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of a Duke Blue Devils helmet against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Let's take a look to see where each Duke Blue Devil was selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah (31) against Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Brian Parker II (53) during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Brian Parker is a big loss, but Duke seems to be in a great place without him.

Dec 23, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Cole Finney (82) and offensive linemen Brian Parker II (53) react with tight end Nicky Dalmolin (81) after a successful two-point conversion during the first half against the Troy Trojans at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Let's look at where the Blue Devils offensive line depth chart stands ahead of Brian Parker II's draft selection.

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Chandler Rivers (0) attempts to swat the ball from Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Trell Harris (11) during the third quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Duke's cornerback room will look quite different without its star defender in 2026.

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) before the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With the NFL Draft approaching, it is time for a history lesson on every first-round pick in Duke Blue Devils history.

Aug 2, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Sonny Jurgensen waves to the crowd at the TimkenSteel Grand Parade on Cleveland Avenue in advance of the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Duke football isn't known for an illustrious history. However, they have produced some excellent talents in their program's history.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins this week. Let's rank the best Duke Blue Devil prospects in this year's draft.

Football

Former Duke Standout Praises Program During NFL Transition

Former Duke Standout Praises Program During NFL Transition

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