Duke running back Nate Sheppard scored five touchdowns in a 47-2 victory over Boston College on October 31, setting a program record and striking the Heisman pose after his fifth score. The win made the Blue Devils (6-2, 3-2 ACC) bowl-eligible for a fifth consecutive season. Sheppard now has 19 total touchdowns this season, leading the country in both touchdowns and scoring.
Staying at Duke Amid Departures
Sheppard's rise comes after a chaotic offseason that saw quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate transfer to Miami. Mensah, who threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2025, left for what was reported as a larger deal at Miami. Barkate, Mensah's top target with 72 catches for 1,106 yards, followed. Sheppard, a second-team All-ACC freshman from Mandeville, Louisiana, chose to remain at Duke despite interest from other programs. "I remember Darian called me and was like, 'I just got this crazy offer,'" Sheppard said. "And I was like, well, you know, you got to do what's best for you."
Record-Breaking Performance
Duke replaced Mensah with San Jose State transfer Walker Eget and rebuilt the offense around Sheppard. The running back transformed his body in the offseason, adding 10 pounds to become a more durable, short-yardage back. Through eight games, Sheppard has 972 rushing yards and 31 receptions for 302 yards. He leads Power Four players in all-purpose yards per game (159.3) and ranks second among Power Four running backs in rushing yards per game (121.5). Sheppard opened the season with a career-high 227 yards against Tulane and has earned seven midseason All-America first-team selections.
Against Virginia, Sheppard caught a lateral pass and threw a 28-yard touchdown to freshman Brody Keefe with 1:14 remaining, securing a 19-16 win. Eight days later against Boston College, four of his five touchdowns came from four yards or closer, including one from the Wildcat formation, while the fifth went for a career-long 54 yards.
Heisman Conversation
Coach Manny Diaz has publicly advocated for Sheppard's Heisman candidacy. "I don't know why the running back thing has become so devalued," Diaz told CBS Sports. "Whether they throw it to you or hand it to you, it's a big deal. And he has the ability to affect winning, which is, to me, what that award should go to." Sheppard is one of only four players in the playoff era with at least 1,250 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns through eight games, joining Melvin Gordon (2014), Ameer Abdullah (2014), and Ashton Jeanty (2024). Gordon and Jeanty each won the Doak Walker Award and finished second in Heisman voting.
Asked who he would vote for if the Heisman ballot were due today, Sheppard named Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. Smith and Sheppard are tied for the FBS lead with 42 plays of 10 yards or more. After Ohio State's loss to USC, Mensah moved to the top of the Heisman betting board.
Upcoming Matchup with Miami
Sheppard needs 28 yards against NC State to become the first Duke player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. A week later, Duke visits No. 1 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida — a venue with personal significance. Sheppard's family lived near the stadium when he was born, and his older brother Will is on the Dolphins' practice squad. Coach Diaz's father, Manny Diaz Sr., was formerly the mayor of Miami.
As Duke's success continues, speculation has linked Diaz to other coaching vacancies, including Florida State after Mike Norvell's firing. Diaz is 24-11 at Duke with back-to-back nine-win seasons. Sheppard remains committed: "Manny Diaz, I believe in his vision. I believe in what he preaches." The Blue Devils face three road games in their final four contests. "It doesn't matter where you play," Diaz said. "It's going to be a one-score game in the fourth quarter. It's gonna be who can finish and keep their poise."
