As fall camp gets underway, the state of the Duke football offense for the 2026 season appears to be a major uncertainty.
Following head coach Manny Diaz’s loss of standout signal-caller Darian Mensah along with his top three targets from last year (Cooper Barkate, Que’Sean Brown, and Sahmir Hagans), both the quarterback room and the overall receiving corps remain largely unestablished.
On November 29, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina, Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Cooper Barkate (18) advances the ball downfield against Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Lardarius Webb Jr. (20) during fourth-quarter action at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Out of the three primary weapons that powered the Blue Devils’ attack last year, running back Nate Sheppard stands as the solitary returning playmaker, and he may well be the most overlooked elite runner in the nation.
While the sophomore is set to handle the bulk of the carries, Duke could boast a surprisingly potent tandem in the backfield, offering hope for a highly productive ground game to guide them through the year.
On December 6, 2025, in Charlotte, NC, Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) breaks loose for a touchdown run in the second quarter versus the Virginia Cavaliers at the 2025 ACC Championship matchup inside Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Though Sheppard has flown under the radar nationally, he possesses the potential to emerge as one of the most productive ball-carriers in collegiate football this fall.
The former three-star prospect wasted no time climbing the depth chart to secure control of the backfield. After registering exactly five rushing attempts in each of the first three matchups of 2025, the 5’10” runner logged double-digit touches in every subsequent contest, eclipsing the 100-yard mark on three occasions.
On December 6, 2025, in Charlotte, NC, Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) watches from the sideline during first-half play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2025 ACC Championship matchup at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sheppard finished his debut season second in the ACC for total rushing yards (1,132), fifth in ground touchdowns (11), fifth in yards per attempt (5.7), and fourth in average rushing yards per contest (80.9). Moving forward, the ground game will center on him from day one.
Given the lack of experience in the passing game, the Blue Devils will likely rely heavily on their rushing attack early on. While Sheppard represents the definitive lead option, Rutgers transfer CJ Campbell stands out as a clever roster addition made by Diaz’s staff this spring.
On November 1, 2024, in Boca Raton, Florida, Florida Atlantic Owls offensive lineman Jordan Church (54) provides protection for quarterback Cam Fancher (1) as running back CJ Campbell Jr. (5) breaks past in the second quarter versus the South Florida Bulls at FAU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
CJ Campbell: The Ideal Counterpart
Campbell has been a true journeyman over his college career, with Duke marking his fourth destination in six seasons. He previously spent three years with Florida State, one season at Florida Atlantic, and another year at Rutgers before arriving in Durham.
While the Louisiana native saw limited action with the Seminoles, his single year in Boca Raton in 2024 put his talents on full display. During that stretch, Campbell compiled 844 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns on 165 touches, while adding 40 receptions for 466 yards and three additional scores, leading the Owls in both running and catching metrics.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back CJ Campbell Jr. (5) pictured on Thursday, August 28, 2025, in Piscataway. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
He was on track to establish himself at the Power Conference level until a devastating ankle injury in the Scarlet Knights’ third game sidelined him for the remainder of that season.
Campbell showcases great acceleration and has proven to be an asset in the passing game out of the backfield. Even though he has only put together one standout season in five college campaigns, he could serve as an excellent pairing with Sheppard.
While he won’t be expected to carry the entire load, Duke’s dual-threat rushing combination could fly under the radar entering the 2026 season.
This piece was first featured on www.si.com/college/duke under the title Breaking Down Duke Football’s 1-2 Punch at Running Back.
