Duke football has added a new face to its quarterback room, and it’s one with real game experience under center. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget is officially headed to Durham, bringing with him a seasoned arm and a résumé that should immediately shake up the Blue Devils’ QB competition.
Eget, a 6-foot-3, 223-pound signal caller, made his visit to Duke earlier in the week and wasted little time making his decision. His commitment comes at a pivotal moment for the program, following a turbulent stretch involving former starter Darian Mensah.
Mensah, who had previously transferred in from Tulane, announced in December that he’d return to Duke rather than declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. But just weeks later, he reversed course and entered the transfer portal on January 16-the final day of the NCAA’s winter window.
That decision triggered a legal response from Duke, which filed suit against Mensah on January 20, citing a breach of his multi-year contract. The university was granted a temporary restraining order to prevent Mensah from enrolling or suiting up for another program, though he remains eligible to explore transfer options.
A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for January 29 at the Durham County Courthouse.
All of that has opened the door for Eget, who brings a much-needed veteran presence to a quarterback room that’s suddenly light on experience.
During his time at San Jose State, Eget put together a solid body of work. Across four seasons, he threw for 5,559 yards and 30 touchdowns, with his best campaign coming in 2025-when he racked up 3,047 passing yards and 17 touchdown passes while completing 59% of his throws. He also added 185 rushing yards over his career, showing just enough mobility to keep defenses honest.
Eget’s performance earned him an 84.7 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, followed by a 67.5 in 2025-a noticeable dip, but still a respectable showing in a competitive Mountain West Conference. Originally a three-star recruit out of Santa Clara, California, Eget has logged 1,217 career snaps, per PFF. That’s more than double the next most experienced QB on Duke’s roster.
That next man up? Ari Patu, a transfer from North Alabama, who’s played just 490 career snaps.
Beyond that, the Blue Devils are looking at two young guns: redshirt freshman Dan Mahan and true freshman Terry Walker III. Eget’s arrival doesn’t just add depth-it brings stability to a room that’s been anything but stable over the last month.
With just one year of eligibility remaining, Eget won’t be a long-term solution, but he doesn’t need to be. What Duke needs right now is a steady hand, someone who’s seen live bullets and can step in as a bridge while the younger quarterbacks develop.
The timing couldn’t be more critical, and the fit makes sense. Eget’s experience, combined with his track record of production, gives Duke a proven option as they navigate a post-Mensah landscape. Whether he wins the starting job outright or serves as a mentor to the next wave, his presence in Durham is a win for a program that’s been searching for clarity at the most important position on the field.