Duke is 1-0 after a 17-3 win over Tulane. Next up is a Big Ten road test at Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12 (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1). Nate Sheppard and the defense carried Week 1. The passing game did not. Here is how each position group looks heading to Champaign.
Quarterback: D
Sixth-year quarterback Walker Eget looked out of sorts against Tulane. He finished 13-of-26 for 131 yards and missed multiple would-be touchdown throws in the first half.
The Blue Devils survived because of Sheppard. That plan will not travel as easily against Illinois. Eget does not have to be a star. He does have to show command of the offense if he wants to keep the job safe. Week 2 is a real test for the San Jose State transfer.
Running Back: A+
Duke could not have asked for more from Nate Sheppard in his 2026 debut.
Sheppard had 35 carries for 227 yards and two touchdowns, plus three catches for 19 yards. He accounted for about 65 percent of Duke’s offense and both touchdowns.
The former three-star recruit was fed early. That should continue. He is the catalyst. He cannot be the entire offense against a Big Ten defense, but he looks like one of the best backs in the country.
Behind him, Rutgers transfer CJ Campbell had 10 carries for 25 yards and three catches for 22 yards. Freshman Jayvian Tanelus could get mixed in later.
Wide Receiver: C
It is hard to grade the receivers after Week 1 because Eget missed several big throws. The group finished with 13 catches for 131 yards.
Idaho State transfer Jonah Burton showed flashes and led the team with three receptions for 38 yards. Projected top wideout Jared Richardson did not catch a pass.
Duke has to get the passing game going at Illinois. Sheppard cannot carry every drive.
Tight Ends: B-
The box score was quiet. Jeremiah Hasley had two catches for 36 yards. Jake Taylor had one catch for five yards. Eget also missed Hasley on back-to-back touchdown throws late in the first half.
The tight ends got open. They should become a bigger part of the plan this week if Eget can hit them.
Offensive Line: A-
The line looked strong against Tulane. Coastal Carolina transfer Nick Del Grande and California transfer Braden Miller helped fill the gaps left by Brian Parker II and Bruno Fina. Tulane did not record a sack.
The unit opened holes for Sheppard and gave Eget time. That work gets harder in Champaign. If the line holds, Duke’s run game can still travel.
Defensive Line: A-
Sophomore Bryce Davis was the headline: six tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss. The front looks like a strength for a defense trying to take a step in 2026.
Tyshon Reed had two tackles and a pass breakup. The depth is real: Kevin O’Connor, Owen Wafle, Dakota Quinonez, Preston Watson and David Anderson all look like contributors.
Linebackers: A
Nick Morris Jr., Luke Mergott, Bradley Gompers and Kendall Johnson look like one of the better ACC groups.
Morris tied for the team lead with six tackles and added a fumble recovery. Mergott had six tackles. Gompers had four tackles, a sack and a TFL. Johnson had two tackles.
The front seven is the reason Duke held Tulane to three points. Illinois will test whether that holds on the road.
Secondary: B+
Cornerbacks and safeties get grouped together here. With new faces and some uncertainty, Week 1 was a solid start.
Montana transfer Kyon Loud and Western Kentucky transfer Dylan Flowers looked like the starting corners. Safeties DaShawn Stone and Patrick Smith-Young both have talent.
Kimari Robinson did not play against Tulane. Duke wants him back as soon as possible.
Bottom line
Duke’s identity after one game is clear. Sheppard and the front seven are A-level. The passing game is the problem. Illinois is 1-0 and beat Duke 45-19 last year. If Eget does not take a step, the Blue Devils will ask Sheppard to do too much again.
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