Duke’s secondary doesn’t have the luxury of easing into this season. After a year when the Blue Devils’ back end was up and down enough to turn too many games into track meets, the message from DaShawn Stone is simple: the unit has to play with urgency and build trust fast.
Stone, one of the most seasoned defenders back there, spoke after Duke’s sixth practice of 2026 preseason camp about what’s different in a reworked secondary. He pointed to the competition level in the defensive backfield, the early effect of the transfer additions, and a defense that’s putting real emphasis on getting off the field on third down. He also noted the leadership being supplied by the linebackers in front of him.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound redshirt junior is in line to be one of the Blue Devils’ most important holdovers on defense. He started all 14 games last season and piled up 86 tackles, along with two interceptions, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and 1.5 tackles for loss. Athlon slotted him on its Fourth Team Preseason All-ACC list, and he heads into the fall with 142 tackles in 32 career appearances.
Duke’s 2025 defense had enough volatility to leave games hanging in the balance, and Stone’s comments suggest the reset starts with accountability in the secondary. For a group that’s been rebuilt in part through transfers, the early test is whether the pieces can mesh quickly enough to keep the pressure from spilling onto the rest of the defense.
In Other News...
Dan Mahan Is At The Center Of Dukes Biggest Offensive Gamble
Dukes offense is entering camp with a different look after Darian Mensahs transfer to Miami, and Manny Diaz has already signaled that the quarterback job is not settled. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget and redshirt freshman Dan Mahan are both in the mix, giving the Blue Devils a real choice as they sort out who is best equipped to steer the unit into the upcoming season.
The broader plan appears to lean on the ground game anyway, with Nate Sheppard and CJ Campbell Jr. expected to be central pieces. Still, the quarterback decision matters because it could shape how much versatility Duke can build into the offense, and Mahans profile adds a different kind of intrigue to a race that is just beginning to take form. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Offense Takes A New Turn As Quarterback Battle Looms
Duke is trying to redefine its offense heading into the new season, and the emphasis starts up front. Starting center Matt Craycraft said the Blue Devils want to lean much more heavily on the ground game, a shift that would give the unit a clearer identity as the quarterback competition unfolds after Darian Mensahs transfer to Miami.
Nate Sheppard looks like the player most likely to benefit if that plan takes hold. After a strong season, he is positioned to be a major part of the backfield approach, giving Duke a proven runner to build around while the team sorts out who will lead the offense under center. [Read more 🡒]