Manny Diaz and Duke knew the transfer portal would reshape this roster, but the Blue Devils still took a hit this offseason. Several important pieces left from both sides of the ball, and more talent was headed to the 2026 NFL Draft. Duke went back to the portal to patch holes, bringing in a group that came with potential more than proven Power Conference production.
Seven games into the 2026 season, that gamble is paying off. Duke is again outperforming expectations, and a few of those newcomers have become real reasons why.
One of the quiet wins has been Jonah Burton. The former Baylor and Idaho State receiver didn’t arrive with much hype, especially with Jared Richardson and Javen Nicholas drawing more attention as Duke’s headline additions at wideout.
Burton has been the steadier producer, though, catching 20 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown while leading the Blue Devils in receiving yards. He’s also shown a strong connection with starting quarterback Walker Eget, and his total could be even higher if a few more deep shots had connected.
In the run game, Rutgers transfer CJ Campbell has given Duke exactly what it needed behind superstar sophomore Nate Sheppard. His stat line doesn’t scream star - 258 rushing yards, no touchdowns, 52 carries, plus five catches for 29 yards - but his value shows up in the support role.
Campbell has only reached double-digit carries once this season, and he had just one rushing attempt against Virginia on Friday night, yet when Duke has asked for a spark, he’s usually answered. As long as Sheppard stays healthy, Campbell isn’t taking over the backfield, but he has been a dependable No.
The biggest transformation may be in the secondary. Cornerback was one of the major questions for Duke coming into the season, and the Blue Devils answered it with two transfer additions who have settled in as the top corners. Montana transfer Kyon Loud and Western Kentucky transfer Dylan Flowers have both produced, helping stabilize a revamped unit.
Flowers has recorded 29 total tackles and three pass deflections. Loud has added 24 total tackles, four pass deflections and a forced fumble. Together, they’ve helped push Duke’s secondary forward this season.
In Other News...
Dukes Allen Fieldhouse Win Made Two Early Difference-Makers Hard To Ignore
The most encouraging part of Dukes early preseason run is not just that it handled Belmont and Tennessee before outlasting Kansas in the toughest test yet, but that the Blue Devils are already getting meaningful production from a couple of players who were not expected to carry the entire load. Junior center Patrick Ngongba looked far more imposing inside, finishing with 28 points and 10 rebounds while showing the kind of physicality and passing that can make him more than just a paint presence. Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell also made his mark, scoring 23 points with a style that fit the moment because he did not try to force much of anything.
Against Kansas, that balance mattered. Duke also cleaned up one area that had the potential to tilt a close game the other way, shooting 81.8% from the line in a victory that turned into a useful early measuring stick. The longer this preseason stretch goes on, the more these two stand out as players who can change the look of the rotation, which makes the next test worth watching closely for a team still sorting out how its pieces fit. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Just Got Two Weekend Wins Fans Should Feel Good About
Duke picked up a pair of morale-boosting weekend wins, and both came in ways that should leave the fan base feeling encouraged about where things are headed. On the football side, the Blue Devils survived a close one against Virginia by leaning on a late trick play, with Walker Eget finding Nate Sheppard on a double pass before Sheppard hit Brody Keefe for a touchdown that swung the game.
Patrick Smith-Young then finished it off with an interception on Virginias final possession, giving Duke a hard-earned finish in a game that could have gone either way. On the hardwood, the Blue Devils kept the momentum rolling by going on the road and beating Kansas 90-84 in an exhibition, with Patrick Ngongba and John Blackwell leading the way as preseason play wrapped up and the regular season drew near. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Has A Chance To Reclaim Momentum Against Boston College
Duke comes back to Wallace Wade Stadium with a chance to build on its road win over Virginia and steady itself in ACC play. At 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the conference, the Blue Devils are back in a familiar spot: good enough to matter, but still looking for a result that can keep the momentum from slipping. Boston College arrives in the same league lane at 4-3 and 2-2, which gives this matchup a little extra weight beyond an early November-like checkpoint.
Nate Sheppard gives Duke a clear offensive anchor as the Blue Devils try to stack wins and protect their position in the conference race. The running back has been one of the seasons most productive players with 875 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, and his workload figures to matter again in a game that could hinge on control and tempo. Kickoff is set for noon ET, and for Duke, this is the kind of home opportunity that can tell you a lot about where the season is headed. [Read more 🡒]