ACC Kickoff: Duke head coach Manny Diaz, Jeremiah Hasley, Luke Mergott and Nate Sheppard (VIDEO)

Duke Blue Devils key players

Quarterback Walker Eget: Eget is expected to start for Duke after transferring from San Jose State where he was an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention in 2025. In 27 career games (18 starts), Eget has completed .57.7% of his passes for 5,563 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Running back Nate Sheppard: Sheppard, a sophomore, enters his second year as the Blue Devils’ starting running back after helping Duke win the 2025 ACC Championship. Sheppard was named Second Team All-ACC after setting Duke freshman records for rushing yards (1,132), attempts (200) and rushing touchdowns (11).

Linebacker Luke Mergott: Mergott is one of just five returning ACC players to have recorded 85 or more tackles in 2025. Sealed the ACC Championship Game with a fourth-quarter interception and posted a career-high 12 tackles in the win over Clemson.

2026 Blue Devils schedule

Sept. 5 Tulane 3:30 p.m. ET (ACCN)
Sept. 12 at Illinois 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sept. 19 Stanford * 4 p.m. ET (The CW)
Sept. 26 William & Mary 3:30 p.m. ET (ACCNX)
Oct. 3 OPEN
Oct. 10 at Georgia Tech *
Oct. 17 North Carolina *
Oct. 23 at Virginia * 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Oct. 31 Boston College *
Nov. 7 at NC State *
Nov. 14 at Miami *
Nov. 20 Clemson * 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Nov. 28 at Wake Forest *

Duke’s Manny Diaz, Jeremiah Hasley, Luke Mergott and Nate Sheppard