Duke’s 62-7 rout of William & Mary in Week 4 didn’t just keep the Blue Devils unbeaten at 4-0. It also gave a first real look at a few younger players who could matter down the road.
The spotlight started with true freshman running back Givers, who needed only three carries to make his mark. He broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown, his first score in college, and showed the kind of speed and burst that can turn a small workload into a loud moment.
The Roswell, Georgia native looked like a back with real upside, especially as he continues to add size. Behind Nate Sheppard, the nation’s best running back, Givers could grow into an important change-of-pace option.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Mahan also made the most of his chance. Technically not a rookie, he was seeing his first meaningful college action, and he delivered a sharp line: six completions on seven attempts, 126 yards and three touchdown passes.
The confidence jumped off the screen, along with the poise, arm talent and athleticism that stood out throughout his outing. Walker Eget’s backup could be pushed into a starting role if needed this season, and his mobility gives Duke a true dual-threat presence.
On the receiving end, Keefe made one of the day’s best plays in his first snaps on offense for the Blue Devils. In the third quarter, he went up in one-on-one coverage and hauled in a Mahan pass with one hand for a touchdown. It was the kind of catch that flashes the playmaking ability he showed in high school in Charlotte, and it also reinforced that Duke’s wide receiver room still has enough depth even after losing several talented players.
For Manny Diaz and Duke, the bigger picture is clear. The Blue Devils have a defense that is starting to fire on all cylinders, a head coach known for building strong culture, and a program that looks to be headed the right way in 2026. Saturday’s blowout was another step in that direction, with the rookies and redshirt freshmen offering a glimpse of what comes next.
In Other News...
Cameron Boozer Is Already Earning The Kind Of NBA Praise Duke Expected
Cameron Boozers one-and-done season at Duke already gave the Blue Devils plenty to point to when it came to his profile as a future pro, and that conversation only got louder after the 2026 NBA Draft. Selected No. 3 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, Boozer arrived in the league with the kind of reputation Duke fans are used to seeing attached to elite recruits who do not need long to prove they belong.
Former Virginia guard Ty Jerome added to that buzz during media day, offering a public nod to Boozers maturity and the broader package that made him such a coveted prospect. For Duke, it is another reminder that Boozers value was never just about the ranking or the hype, but about how quickly he earned trust as a leader and how smoothly he translated that into the next level. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Freshman Already Drawing Buzz As A Real Piece This Season
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje arrives at Duke with a different kind of resume than most freshmen. The 17-year-old spent his early career at FC Barcelona before making the jump to Durham, and his background has already given the Blue Devils another young frontcourt piece worth watching as the season gets underway.
There is still an adjustment period ahead as he settles into college basketball, but the early buzz around Boumtje Boumtje is real enough to have his teammates talking. Sophomore Dame Sarr, another former FC Barcelona player, has been among those expressing confidence in what Boumtje Boumtje can become, and Duke will be counting on that transition to keep moving in the right direction as his role grows. [Read more 🡒]
Jon Scheyer Knows What This Duke Team Must Finally Prove
Jon Scheyer has spent enough time around Duke basketball to know the standard never really loosens, even after seasons that push the Blue Devils close to the top of the sport. As he looks at this years roster, the message is less about chasing the exact feel of recent teams and more about carrying forward what worked while trying to keep Duke in the hunt at the highest level.
The challenge, as Scheyer sees it, is that the Blue Devils cannot simply assume last seasons formula will show up again in the same way. The pieces that made that group so difficult to copy are not easy to replace, and the next step is making sure this roster keeps strengthening its foundation while aiming to compete deep into the season. [Read more 🡒]