Duke’s 4-0 start has been built on a sturdy defense and the kind of production you’d expect from Nate Sheppard, but Walker Eget has quietly done his part too. The quarterback took his lumps in the opener against Tulane, then settled in and helped steer the Blue Devils through a perfect non-conference run that also included wins over Illinois and William & Mary, plus an Atlantic Coast Conference victory over Stanford in Week 3.
Through four games, Eget has completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 721 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He’s also been efficient in the areas that matter most, with just one turnover and one sack. That has been enough to keep Duke moving without much drama, even if the spotlight hasn’t followed him.
ESPN, though, still isn’t giving him much credit. In its ranking of all 68 Power Four quarterbacks after four weeks, Eget landed at No.
- Bill Connelly pointed to Duke’s defense and Sheppard’s huge numbers, describing Eget’s job as "dont screw up" for the offense.
He also noted that Duke is unbeaten in part because Eget has avoided mistakes, while questioning how much upside the quarterback offers right now. Connelly singled out Eget’s best outing as the one against Illinois and said the Fighting Illini defense was poor.
That explanation makes some sense. But No. 58 still feels awfully low for a quarterback who has handled his business and helped a 4-0 team keep rolling. Eget has been good against every opponent Duke has faced, and the Blue Devils have reason to believe there’s more coming.
The schedule is about to get a lot more demanding, with the heart of ACC play arriving soon. Duke will also face a strong Miami defense later in the season, giving Eget a chance to make a statement if he keeps building on what he’s shown so far.
For a program that lost Darian Mensah last season, Duke has gotten solid quarterback play. If the Blue Devils want to stay in the contender conversation, though, Eget may need to raise his level even higher.
In Other News...
Dukes Fast Start Is Fueling A Respect Debate Fans Hate
Dukes fast start has only intensified a familiar conversation around the program and its league: how much respect is enough, and who is willing to give it? After winning the ACC title a year ago, the Blue Devils have opened this season well enough to draw attention in the AFCA poll, a sign their momentum is being noticed somewhere, even if the broader national picture still feels stuck on the same old doubts about the conference.
The issue, as it so often is with ACC teams, comes down to proof. The leagues reputation has been battered by the perception of chaos at the top and inconsistency across the board, and Dukes next stretch will matter far more than its early glow. To force its way into the AP conversation, the Blue Devils likely need to do more than keep winning the games they should, with stronger conference opponents standing as the real test of whether this start turns into earned respect. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Looks Ready Again But The ACC Wont Make This Easy
Duke enters the new ACC season with the kind of profile that usually turns preseason optimism into real pressure. The Blue Devils have the look of a program built to contend again, with a roster that blends continuity, size and enough experience to make them a clear reference point as the league sorts itself out. In a conference that still has plenty of credible challengers, that matters because every top-end game will be a test of whether Duke can turn talent into week-to-week consistency.
Virginia, Miami, Louisville and North Carolina all bring their own reasons to believe they can stay in the race, whether that means returning scorers, roster additions or changes on the sideline. But the bigger question for Duke is how much margin it can afford when the ACC schedule starts tightening. The Blue Devils may look the part of a favorite, yet the gap between preseason status and the final standings can disappear quickly once league play begins. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Faces A Huge Weekend In One Key 2027 Recruiting Battle
Duke is spending a big weekend trying to keep its momentum rolling on the recruiting trail, with one of the Blue Devils top 2027 targets set for an official visit in Durham. The program has already made a strong impression in the chase for a prized wing, thanks in part to a recent in-home visit with Jon Scheyer, and the staff sees this stretch as an important step in building out its next wave of talent.
The battle is hardly settled, though. The prospect has also taken trips to LSU, Florida, UConn and North Carolina, so Duke is still working through a crowded field for a player it hopes can help anchor the frontcourt in future seasons. For a program that has kept recruiting pressure high under Scheyer, this is the kind of visit that can shape the rest of the race. [Read more 🡒]