Duke’s path back to the ACC title game in 2026 starts where football always gets real: up front.
That’s the heartbeat of the Blue Devils’ outlook, and it’s why there’s reason to believe Manny Diaz’s team can stay sturdy even after losing several key trench starters. Duke went into the transfer portal to patch the holes, but it notably did not overhaul its pass rush or interior offensive line. Instead, the Blue Devils added depth and competition at defensive tackle and both offensive tackle spots, a move that could be enough to keep them in the mix for Charlotte in December.
The biggest question sits on the edge, where there isn’t much proven production to lean on. But after digging into the film, there’s enough skill here to think Duke may be better than the outside world expects.
Sophomore Bryce Davis is the name that jumps off the page. He’s the biggest X-factor on either side of the ball, a former top edge-rusher recruit and Duke’s highest-rated recruit in program history. The upside is obvious, and the flashes suggest real force-multiplier potential.
The offensive line, though, may be the more reliable reason for optimism. Veteran center Matt Craycraft is the anchor and has the kind of talent that could put him in the conversation for next year’s NFL Draft.
Jordan Larsen is back at left guard, Bradley Smith has a firm grip on the right guard spot, and the tackles have been retooled with transfers Nick Del Grande and Braden Miller stepping in for Bruno Fina and draft pick Brian Parker II. Del Grande, notably, allowed zero sacks in 2025.
That combination of experience, production, and steadiness makes the group look stronger the deeper you study it. The defensive front still carries some uncertainty, including at defensive tackle with Preston Watson and transfers Owen Wafle and Dakota Quinonez, but there’s also enough intrigue there to keep Duke fans interested.
And that matters, especially for a program that has already been knocked around by the transfer portal and lost two important offensive starters. If the trenches hold, Duke has a chance to build on what it has done and make a run at a first three-year stretch of nine wins or more in program history, along with back-to-back ACC Championships.
In Other News...
Duke Just Made A Staff Addition That Signals Bigger Plans
Duke has added another piece to its track and field operation, bringing in a coach with both collegiate and elite-level experience as the program continues to build for the future. Shawn Wilbourn announced the addition of Cheyenne Nesbitt, who arrives with a background that includes coaching at Illinois and a standout competitive career at Saginaw Valley State, where she developed into one of the most decorated athletes in Division II.
For the Blue Devils, the move is about more than filling a spot on the staff. Nesbitts assignment will touch both the jumps and combined events groups while also putting her in a key operational role for the 2026-27 season, a sign Duke is thinking beyond the immediate roster and into the structure around it. Her resume also carries the kind of competitive credibility that matters in a program trying to raise its ceiling, especially after her work with USA Track and Field and her appearance at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. [Read more 🡒]
Gonzaga Just Took A Major Hit Before Duke Showdown
Dukes February 20 meeting with Gonzaga at Little Caesars Arena already stood out as one of the more demanding stops on the non-conference schedule, but the opponent the Blue Devils were expecting could look a little different by then. Gonzaga has been dealing with roster churn this offseason, and the latest change hits a part of the team that usually helps drive its pace and perimeter play.
The backcourt is now a bigger question than it was a few weeks ago, especially with another international piece already gone from the mix. For Duke, that does not make the matchup any less serious, but it does add another layer to a game that was already going to be a useful measuring stick for both teams. [Read more 🡒]