Walker Eget Becomes Duke Starting QB

Duke will host Tulane in the season opener on Sept. 5 at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Eget recovered from a 2024 ACL knee injury, underwent surgery, and practiced in fall camp with a heavy knee brace as he prepared to start for Duke.
Across his San Jose State career, Eget totaled 5,563 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 18 starts.
UNC named Edwards the Week 0 starter over Miles O’Neill, Travis Burgess and Au’Tori Newkirk, as a sixth-year transfer with stops at Wake Forest, Maryland and Wisconsin.
Duke coach Manny Diaz called landing Eget a 'miracle' given the transfer portal timing, highlighting that he has produced 5,000+ passing yards over the last two seasons.
Duke has named San Jose State transfer Walker Eget as its starting quarterback for the 2026 season, beginning with a Sept. 5 opener against Tulane at Wallace Wade Stadium. Eget, who threw for 3,051 yards and 17 touchdowns last season with a 59 percent completion rate, beat out redshirt freshman Dan Mahan and inherits an offense after Darian Mensah departed to Miami NBC Sports.
The move reflects Duke's strategy to add proven experience. Coach Manny Diaz called landing Eget a "miracle" given transfer portal timing. Across his San Jose State career, Eget totaled 5,563 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 18 starts, and recently recovered from a 2024 ACL knee injury Yahoo Sports.
Walker Eget's journey to Duke included a significant setback. He suffered an ACL knee injury during the 2024 season at San Jose State. After undergoing surgery, Eget returned to practice during Duke's fall camp, wearing a heavy knee brace as he prepared for the starting role Sports Illustrated.
Despite the injury recovery, Eget's overall production made him attractive to Duke. Over his final two seasons, he produced more than 5,000 passing yards, demonstrating the consistency Manny Diaz sought Yahoo Sports.
Meanwhile, UNC selected Billy Edwards Jr. as its starting quarterback for the Week 0 game versus TCU in Ireland. Edwards won a tight competition against Miles O'Neill, Travis Burgess, and Au'Tori Newkirk. The sixth-year transfer brings experience from stints at Wake Forest, Maryland, and Wisconsin NBC Sports.
Edwards operates under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino's system. His selection signals UNC's confidence in his ability to execute the playbook and lead the team in an overseas opener Sports Illustrated.
Duke won the ACC championship last season and aims to build on that success. The addition of Eget provides continuity at the most important position. Manny Diaz emphasized that Eget adds both production and leadership experience to a program with high expectations The Score.
The quarterback move reflects a broader trend across the ACC this offseason. Experienced sixth-year transfers are reshaping early-season quarterback dynamics across the conference as programs seek proven talent in the portal Yahoo Sports.
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