Duke’s quarterback competition is still very much alive, and head coach Manny Diaz doesn’t sound ready to tip his hand.
About three weeks into fall camp and roughly three weeks out from the Sept. 5 opener against Tulane at Wallace Wade Stadium, the Blue Devils are sorting through a roster full of new faces and uncertain depth-chart spots. But no battle carries more weight than the one under center, where San Jose State transfer Walker Eget and redshirt freshman Dan Mahan are still locked in a tight race.
Diaz said the staff isn’t focused on creating separation right now. Instead, the priority is whether each quarterback can move the ball and operate the offense.
"You know, we're not even considering the separation aspect of it," Diaz said. "We're looking at Walker [Eget] and Dan [Mahan] and, are they able to move the football and execute in our offense? They certainly both have slightly differing skill sets, and, you know, now you have a chance to, maybe this week, really try to highlight each of their strengths."
He added that both quarterbacks have given the team enough through the first 11 practices to justify the conversation.
"But, I think the team believes in both guys and I think they both have enough evidence of what they've done in the first 11 practices to show that they can quarterback the team. What it's going to come down to as we get to the weekend, again, is who can eliminate the negative plays. The decisions that really have a chance to impact winning and losing."
That’s the heart of it now: who protects the offense, who limits mistakes, and who gives Duke the best chance to function cleanly when camp pressure starts to rise. Eget brings two seasons of starting experience from San Jose State, though he has never done it at the Power Conference level. Mahan is the dual-threat redshirt freshman with obvious upside, but he still hasn’t taken game snaps.
The gap between them remains narrow, and both have shown flashes early in camp. With several other position fights still unfolding, the quarterback derby is the one most likely to keep drawing the spotlight.
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Duke Fall Camp Just Raised Two Big Roster Questions
Dukes offseason reset has already given fall camp a different feel, with the Blue Devils having to replace the production and presence of several key wide receivers while leaning on transfers to sort out the depth chart. In a recent scrimmage, redshirt freshman Jaivon Solomon made a strong case for himself at receiver, turning in one of the days most eye-catching performances as the staff keeps evaluating who can help stabilize a passing game that lost important pieces.
The other side of the ball offered its own early clues, with sophomore Bryce Davis emerging on the defensive line and showing the kind of disruption Duke wants as the season opener approaches. With roster spots and rotation roles still very much in play, the next stretch of camp should bring more clarity on how the Blue Devils plan to line up, but there are still a couple of major decisions hanging over the final weeks before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Dukes First Scrimmage Left One Crucial Position Battle Wide Open
Dukes first scrimmage of fall camp offered an early glimpse of the offense and defense, with plenty still unsettled as the Blue Devils push through the opening stretch of August. Wide receiver Jaivon Solomon was one of the days clear standouts, while the secondary made its presence felt by breaking up passes and coming away with interceptions, a reminder that there are useful pieces on both sides of the ball even before the depth chart starts to harden.
The bigger storyline, though, remains the quarterback race, and the first live work did little to sort it out. Walker Eget and Dan Mahan are still battling for control of the offense, and with training camp just getting underway, Duke can afford to let the competition breathe a little longer before anyone separates from the pack. [Read more 🡒]