Duke holds spring football game. What stood out about the Blue Devils
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- Duke hosted a spring game to present its new team and simulate game pressure.
- Defense outperformed offense in the spring game, winning 26-17 with three turnovers.
- San Jose State transfer Walker Eget was limited in activity while rehabbing from injury.
Fresh off its ACC championship, Duke hit the field for its conclusion of spring ball.
Most schools have stopped hosting spring games, including N.C. State and North Carolina, but the Blue Devils believe it is a good way to get the new team in front of fans and help simulate what playing in front of spectators feels like.
“You want to see guys perform with a little bit of that extra pressure that maybe is not here at a normal practice or even at a normal scrimmage,” Duke head coach Manny Diaz said Saturday. “From my vantage point, watching both sides of the ball, I think we got what we wanted to accomplish.”
Duke was limited in what it could do, but Diaz felt good about how everything went. He also said the team came out of spring practices relatively healthy. It didn’t add any major injuries to its current list and set up the program for a solid summer.
It opens the season Sept. 5 when it hosts Tulane at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Here are three major keys from Duke’s spring game.
The new QB situation
San Jose State transfer Walker Eget was on the field at Wallace Wade on Saturday, but was limited in his activity.
The new quarterback, who replaced Darian Mensah, is still rehabbing from a 2024 ACL injury. He had surgery to repair the ligament following the 2025 season. Eget has been limited in his action since undergoing the procedure.
“He was able to move around. He was able to make some throws,” Diaz said. “He’s not cleared for anything full speed. He’s not even cleared to really rip the ball the way that he would. But [we] wanted to get him out here on the grass at Wallace Wade and have him make some throws and make some plays, which I thought was really encouraging.”
Diaz complimented Eget’s size and strength but said his experience sets him apart. During his rehab, Eget has served in a pseudo-coaching role.
“He has actually done a really great job of mentoring our young quarterbacks, with Dan [Mahan] or Terry [Walker]. It’s like having an extra coach in the room. We’ve been very pleased with his impact on our program so far.”
Mahan, a redshirt freshman, was the main QB on Saturday, recording two touchdown passes. His first was a 15-yard pass to redshirt freshman Jaivon Solomon and the second was a 9-yard throw to true freshman Brody Keefe.
Eget is still expected to be available when the season begins in August. He threw for 3,051 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, including a 473-yard passing game against Stanford. The NCAA granted Eget a sixth year of eligibility in February.
Finding silver linings
Prior to the spring game, Diaz told reporters the team had 17 players who were unavailable to participate in full-speed activities and another handful who were limited. The staff talked about how it would accomplish its goals, considering the injuries and those who haven’t arrived on campus.
Diaz said he doesn’t want injured players, but he believes spring ball has played a key role in the development of younger guys. The work that took place over the last month exceeded expectations.
Players with no game experience had an opportunity to have a gameday-type atmosphere, where they are operating calls and going through various aspects of the game. Diaz said time on the field, even when the reps are not full speed or full contact, is valuable for understanding the mental aspect.
“We had a ton of young linemen — that really are the future of our program — who got a lot of great work today,” Diaz said Saturday. The reps that Cole Allen’s getting or Roman Fina’s getting, those are invaluable in terms of their development. Our pathway toward success long term is going to be able to bring these young guys in and develop them.”
Defense makes big plays
Last season, Duke’s offense was one of the most efficient in the Power 4 ranks, but the defense didn’t match up. Diaz said this year’s squad, especially in the secondary, will need to step up.
It was the winner during Saturday’s spring game, topping the offense, 26-17. It forced three-and-outs, recorded three interceptions and one fumble recovery, despite only having three cornerbacks and four safeties available.
Graduate student Nick Morris said he believes the entire defense will make major strides this season.
“I think we’re gonna be a lot better this upcoming year,” Morris said. “I think we have an edge about us, maybe a little bit of a chip on our shoulder because we didn’t quite live up to the expectations last year. … I’m really excited. I think we’re gonna have a phenomenal year on defense.”
Morris also updated reporters on Saturday about his recovery. The starting middle linebacker tore his ACL against N.C. State last September but said he recovered quickly.
“One of the trainers said that it was the fastest tibia recovery they’ve ever seen,” Morris said. “I honestly feel more athletic, surprisingly, believe it or not, than before I got hurt, which is a huge blessing.”
