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Duke is about two and a half months away from taking the field to defend its ACC title, but before the Blue Devils take the field, four of them will travel to Charlotte to face the media for the 2026 ACC Football Kickoff.
Tight end Jeremiah Hasley, running back Nate Sheppard, linebacker Luke Mergott and head coach Manny Diaz will all be available to the media on Friday, July 17, the final day of the conference’s premier offseason event.
Sharing the stage with the Blue Devils will be players and coaches from California, North Carolina, Pitt, SMU and Wake Forest.
Diaz and his players are expected to be asked about expectations ahead of 2026 and how the program can build upon a 2025 campaign that saw Duke surprisingly take home the ACC Championship.
Another talking point that is sure to get buzz is the departure of former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate, who were both famously poached by Miami this past transfer portal cycle.
As far as the Blue Devils that are attending the event, all three have had excellent careers in blue and white and have been tabbed as leaders moving forward.
Hasley, hailing from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, broke out in 2025, securing All-ACC honorable mention honors. He was named the No. 6 returning tight end in the country by Pro Football Focus (PFF) with eight career touchdown receptions, four shy of the Duke tight end record.
Sheppard, whose willingness to return after being a Freshman All-America pick by the Athletic, brings serious cause for optimism. He was ranked as PFF’s No. 7 returning rusher heading into 2026 and is one of three ACC backs to have rushed for 10 or more touchdowns in 2025 and return to the same school.
Mergot, a redshirt junior, is one of five returning student-athletes in the ACC to have booked 85 or more tackles in 2025. He and safety DaShawn Stone combine to give Duke the only duo in the ACC to return, and each register 85 or more tackles in 2025. He was thrust into a starting role in Week 5 of the 2025 season due to injuries and went on to seal the ACC Championship game and the Sun Bowl with fourth-quarter interceptions.
The three will be joined by Diaz, who enters his third year at the helm in Durham. He has led the Blue Devils to an 18-9 record since taking over, including an 11-5 ACC mark.
The 2026 ACC Football Kickoff is set to take place July 15-17, at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: duke names 2026 acc football kickoff attendees
Continue reading...
Tight end Jeremiah Hasley, running back Nate Sheppard, linebacker Luke Mergott and head coach Manny Diaz will all be available to the media on Friday, July 17, the final day of the conference’s premier offseason event.
Sharing the stage with the Blue Devils will be players and coaches from California, North Carolina, Pitt, SMU and Wake Forest.
Diaz and his players are expected to be asked about expectations ahead of 2026 and how the program can build upon a 2025 campaign that saw Duke surprisingly take home the ACC Championship.
Another talking point that is sure to get buzz is the departure of former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate, who were both famously poached by Miami this past transfer portal cycle.
As far as the Blue Devils that are attending the event, all three have had excellent careers in blue and white and have been tabbed as leaders moving forward.
Hasley, hailing from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, broke out in 2025, securing All-ACC honorable mention honors. He was named the No. 6 returning tight end in the country by Pro Football Focus (PFF) with eight career touchdown receptions, four shy of the Duke tight end record.
Sheppard, whose willingness to return after being a Freshman All-America pick by the Athletic, brings serious cause for optimism. He was ranked as PFF’s No. 7 returning rusher heading into 2026 and is one of three ACC backs to have rushed for 10 or more touchdowns in 2025 and return to the same school.
Mergot, a redshirt junior, is one of five returning student-athletes in the ACC to have booked 85 or more tackles in 2025. He and safety DaShawn Stone combine to give Duke the only duo in the ACC to return, and each register 85 or more tackles in 2025. He was thrust into a starting role in Week 5 of the 2025 season due to injuries and went on to seal the ACC Championship game and the Sun Bowl with fourth-quarter interceptions.
The three will be joined by Diaz, who enters his third year at the helm in Durham. He has led the Blue Devils to an 18-9 record since taking over, including an 11-5 ACC mark.
The 2026 ACC Football Kickoff is set to take place July 15-17, at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: duke names 2026 acc football kickoff attendees
Continue reading...
