Overview
- Duke began fall camp on Wednesday with transfer Walker Eget and redshirt freshman Dan Mahan splitting first‑team reps in an active competition for the starting job.
- Eget was recently cleared to practice after offseason ACL surgery, is wearing a heavy knee brace, and brings multi‑season production from San Jose State but missed spring work while rehabbing.
- Mahan’s redshirt timeline was accelerated into 2026 and he has taken meaningful first‑team reps, presenting a younger, high‑upside alternative to the veteran transfer.
- Diaz said his primary evaluation will be who minimizes negative plays by protecting the football and making smart decisions, and he reiterated there is no set date to name a starter.
- The race follows offseason losses of starter Darian Mensah and top receiver Cooper Barkate to Miami, leaving Duke to rely on returnees like Nate Sheppard and new additions such as Jared Richardson while the staff leans on an offensive system that has produced with multiple quarterback styles.