DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — It’s not a complete overhaul for this year’s Duke football roster compared to last season, but there are enough new players, especially at key positions, to put the team in the “work in progress” category.
The biggest new addition is under center, as the Blue Devils have a new quarterback in Darian Mensah. The former Tulane player announced his intention to transfer to Durham last December. A new signal caller, along with other players, means many adjustments for a Duke team that won nine games last season.
“Part of what we’re doing too, the way we build our training camp is let’s see what Darian does best, let’s see what the guys we have do best, because again, a lot of these people were not with us in spring practice,” second-year head coach Manny Diaz said Monday.
During last month’s Atlantic Coast Conference 2025 Kickoff event, Diaz touted the strength and conditioning as well as the culture of his current squad. How all of that translates onto the field will be something the coaches will monitor and adjust for throughout the season.
“We will continue to make strides as the year goes on because … you get practice timing, then you get scrimmage timing, then you get into the games and it still continues to evolve,” said Diaz.
The Blue Devils open the 2025 season at home against Elon on Aug. 28. They’ll be tested immediately after that as Illinois — the No. 12 team in the AP preseason poll — comes to Durham on Sept. 6.