Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Manny Diaz across Football, Basketball.
Duke enters the 2026 season with a transformed roster, facing both offensive loss and defensive decline while hoping standout running back Nate Sheppard can lead a resurgence.
With star quarterback Darian Mensah gone and top receivers departed, Duke must rely on new starter Walker Eget, a revitalized defense and the breakout potential of running back Nate Sheppard to contend in a conference that appears to have taken a step back.
Despite entering 2026 as ACC champions, the Duke Blue Devils face significant losses on both sides of the ball, prompting a critical evaluation of their defensive outlook and the emergence of new talent.
After Darian Mensah’s move to Miami, Duke must choose between Walker Eget and Dan Mahan to lead the offense, with the coaching staff stressing that both players are fully healthy and ready to compete.
The Duke Blue Devils open their season at home against the Tulane Green Wave, a matchup that highlights both the excitement of defending champions and the uncertainty surrounding a reshaped roster.
Coaches from across North Carolina gather for the Triangle Pigskin Preview, discussing the upcoming season, player transfers and the growing concern over tampering in college football.
Duke’s 2026 top‑30 player countdown spotlights linebacker Bradley Gompers, whose emergence coincides with the loss of quarterback Darian Mensah and a reshaped defensive scheme.
With high expectations surrounding the program, Duke's fall camp centers on quarterback Walker Eget, running back Nate Sheppard and edge rusher Bryce Davis, each tasked with proving their readiness for a pivotal season.
A preview of the 2026 Duke‑Miami football clash, highlighting the recruiting twist, offensive uncertainty for Duke, and Miami's pursuit of favorable CFP seeding.
As Duke prepares for the 2026 campaign, a countdown of its top 30 players reveals a defense anchored by linebacker Nick Morris Jr. and safety Luke Mergott, while head coach Manny Diaz looks to extend his flawless season record.
Duke University’s football program is generating buzz as analysts predict a potential surprise in the 2026 college football season. Head coach Manny Diaz has bolstered the roster with portal talent, sparking optimism that the Blue Devils can translate early momentum into a sustained ACC run.
With key departures and transfer portal activity shaping the offseason, Duke’s coaching staff is betting on experienced transfers to keep the Blue Devils competitive in the ACC.
An inside look at Duke’s top 30 players for 2026, spotlighting junior defensive end Tyshon Reed and the challenges facing Coach Manny Diaz’s rebuild
The ACC’s preseason kickoff unveiled pivotal player decisions, coaching moves and rule debates that will shape the 2026 campaign.
The Blue Devils are reshaping their front lines through key transfers and a top recruit, seeking to build on recent winning streaks and chase back‑to‑back conference championships.
As Duke prepares for the 2026 season, three high‑profile transfers must prove their worth, or the program may come to regret the moves that were supposed to bolster its roster.
Duke University's football program entered the 2026 season with a cloud of uncertainty after the departure of quarterback Darian Mensah, who had guided the Blue Devils to an ACC Championship the previous year. The legal dispute over his transfer to Miami and a $7.5 million NIL agreement left the school scrambling to fill the void. Enter Walker Eget, a graduate transfer from San Jose State, whose strong arm and recent performances have sparked cautious optimism as the team looks to maintain its recent momentum.
An overview of Duke’s four‑year resurgence, key coaches, returning stars and the challenges that lie ahead as the program seeks to become a consistent contender.
A look at the 19 newcomers expected to shape Duke football's outlook for the 2026 season, highlighting key contributors and the program's ambitions.
For much of the past decade, Clemson's dominance in the ACC has been defined by Dabo Swinney's leadership, but the rise of NIL and the transfer portal is reshaping the conference's power structure.
Duke University’s football program is turning its attention to a defensive overhaul as the 2026 season approaches. Head coach Manny Diaz and his staff have been busy in the transfer portal, seeking to replace the talent that departed for the NFL Draft and other programs. Among the returning pieces is redshirt junior linebacker Kendall Johnson, who has battled injuries but is now viewed as a cornerstone of the front seven. Coaches describe Johnson as an established veteran within the program, noting his 3‑star high school rating and the promise he has shown despite setbacks. The Blue Devils’ offensive unit is expected to take a step back, meaning the defense will carry a larger share of the workload if the team hopes to replicate the nine‑win campaign it enjoyed in 2024. With a deep linebacker corps and a revamped secondary, Duke believes the rebuilt defense can once again be the engine that drives success on the field.
After a championship season, the Blue Devils are counting on unproven but promising newcomers to sustain momentum.
A ranking of the ACC’s top coaches heading into the 2026 season spotlights recent triumphs, rebuilding efforts and storylines that will shape the conference’s narrative.
A look at the transfers, key players and uncertainties facing Duke football as it looks to shore up a defense that once topped the ACC.