Nate Sheppard has spent this season doing more than carrying the ball for Duke. He’s been the engine behind a Blue Devils offense that has taken off, and now his production has pushed him into the Heisman Trophy conversation, even if he’s still a long way from the top of the board.
The Duke running back heads into this weekend’s road matchup with Miami with a +8000 chance to win the award, according to FanDuel. That leaves Sheppard on the outside looking in for now, but his season has been strong enough to keep him in the mix if he strings together a few more big performances.
The list of players ahead of him is crowded. CJ Carr of Notre Dame, Darian Mensah of Miami, Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State, Devon Dampier of Utah, Drew Mestemaker of Oklahoma State, Keelon Russell of Alabama, Gunner Stockton of Georgia, and LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina were all listed ahead of the Blue Devils star.
Sheppard’s numbers explain why he’s getting attention at all. He has rushed for 1,189 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, while also contributing as a receiver with 36 catches for 306 yards and four more scores for Duke.
Duke will need him again against a Miami team that has been rolling. The Blue Devils enter the game 7-2 overall and 4-2 in ACC play, while Miami comes in at 8-1 and 6-0 in conference play.
That matchup gives Sheppard a stage to make another statement. If he can outperform Mensah, the Heisman picture could shift quickly heading into next week.
And with three games left on Duke’s schedule, Sheppard still has time to force his way deeper into the discussion. Strong finishes from here would not only help Duke on the scoreboard, they could also put him in position to head to New York.
In Other News...
Duke Heads Into Regionals With Both NCAA Hopes On The Line
The Duke cross country teams head to the 2026 NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on Friday at the University of South Carolina Upstate with a familiar kind of pressure, as both the men and women are still chasing spots in the NCAA Championships. The womens 6k race is set for 10 a.m., followed by the mens 10k at 11, and the meet will serve as the final gatekeeper before the national stage in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Nov. 21.
For Duke, the regional is about more than just one good day on the course. The article lays out the key athletes on both squads and the path each team must navigate to keep its season alive, with qualification hinging on how they stack up against a deep Southeast field. By the end of Friday, the Blue Devils should know whether both programs have done enough to extend their postseason run. [Read more 🡒]
Daniel Jones Sounds Frustrated As His NFL Comeback Takes Another Turn
Daniel Jones is still working his way back from an Achilles injury, but the bigger challenge around him may be the one unfolding in Indianapolis. The Colts recent trades have stripped away several familiar pieces on offense, and Jones made it clear he was not thrilled to see DeForest Buckner, Josh Downs, Keenan Allen and Quenton Nelson move on while he continues his recovery.
Even so, Jones is not sounding like a quarterback ready to wave off the season before it starts. He still believes the roster can compete, which matters with his two-year extension already in place and his long-term future in Indianapolis still unsettled beyond this year. For now, though, the comeback story is being shaped by a changing supporting cast as much as by Jones own rehab. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Recruiting Just Got More Complicated Than Fans Expected
Dukes early work on the recruiting trail is already starting to take shape for the 2027 class, with three commitments in hand and a familiar mix of high-end talent and long-term upside. The Blue Devils have landed five-star forwards Kager Knueppel and Asa Montgomery, along with Australian point guard Luke Paul, giving the staff a strong foundation before the cycle has even fully opened up.
But the next wave is where things get interesting, because Duke has been active with several top 2028 prospects as well, including five-star point guard Josiah Rose, who has drawn attention from multiple programs and already taken unofficial visits to SMU. The Blue Devils have also offered Colton Hiller, Yann Kamagate, Mason Collins and Brady Pettigrew, and with some of those names potentially moving up to 2027, the board could shift quickly in ways that make this recruiting picture a lot less settled than it first appeared. [Read more 🡒]