Duke Football Opens Fall Camp in Scorching Heat as Manny Diaz Begins Second Year Looking to Build on Strong 9-4 Season

Duke Football Opens Fall Camp in Scorching Heat as Manny Diaz Begins Second Year Looking to Build on Strong 9-4 Season

Duke football has entered a new chapter—one that carries equal parts momentum and expectation. After finishing 9-4 in his first season as head coach, Manny Diaz returned to Durham with a sense of purpose and a team that believes in what it’s building. But as the Blue Devils opened fall camp under blistering Carolina heat, it became clear that belief alone won’t get them where they want to go. The next step requires grit, toughness, and a relentless focus on the fine details that separate good teams from great ones. For Diaz and his players, that mission began the moment practice kicked off in the sweltering humidity of late July.

The brutal heat wasn’t just a backdrop—it was a factor. On the opening day of fall camp, temperatures in Durham surged into the mid-90s, with a heat index that pushed even higher. Coaches and players were constantly rotating between hydration breaks and reps, with medical staff monitoring everyone closely. It’s the kind of environment that forces a team to test its limits—not just physically, but mentally. And for a program like Duke that’s trying to raise its standard from solid to elite, those kinds of tests are invaluable.

Manny Diaz didn’t complain about the heat. In fact, he embraced it. When asked about the conditions, he smiled and said, “If we want to be a championship-caliber team, we have to work when it’s hard. Not when it’s easy. The heat’s a great equalizer. It exposes guys who are locked in and guys who aren’t.” That tone—part toughness, part culture-setting—has become the hallmark of Diaz’s program since his arrival.

Last season’s 9-4 record was more than just a success—it was a statement. Coming off the departure of Mike Elko, expectations were moderate at best. But Diaz wasted no time implementing his philosophy, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Duke finished the 2024 season ranked among the top defensive units in the ACC, showing a brand of physicality and discipline that had long eluded the program. That identity didn’t just appear—it was built through offseasons like this one, through the sweat and heat of practices that demanded accountability and consistency.

As this year’s fall camp begins, the Blue Devils face a unique set of challenges and opportunities. First among them is the quarterback position. After Riley Leonard transferred out and several younger players cycled through reps last year, Duke is now navigating a competitive battle between redshirt freshman Grayson Loftis and Texas transfer Maalik Murphy. Both quarterbacks have flashed potential. Loftis has the edge in terms of familiarity with the system, while Murphy boasts a higher physical ceiling with his arm strength and mobility.

Diaz has made it clear that no decision will be rushed. “This isn’t about who can throw the farthest or who looks good in drills,” he said. “It’s about who can lead this team, who takes care of the football, who commands the huddle when things get tough.” The staff is expected to let the battle play out well into camp, with live reps in scrimmages likely playing a key role in the final call.

Supporting whoever wins that battle is a roster with a healthy mix of returning veterans and promising newcomers. One of the biggest reasons for Duke’s success last season was its offensive line—a group that brought stability and allowed the Blue Devils to establish a downhill rushing attack. This year’s unit returns several starters and is expected to be the backbone of the offense once again. Offensive line coach Adam Cushing has emphasized pad level, footwork, and communication during early sessions, knowing that in ACC play, a single blown assignment can swing a game.

In the backfield, Jordan Waters returns as a potential breakout star. His blend of vision, power, and acceleration gives Duke a true workhorse, and early in camp, he’s been running with authority. Waters will likely be the focal point of the offense in the early weeks, especially if the quarterback situation remains unsettled. Depth behind him is solid as well, with Jaquez Moore and freshman back Tywan Davis showing flashes in practice.

The receiver room is less proven but carries high upside. Transfers and young players alike will have the opportunity to carve out roles, but there’s no clear WR1 entering camp. That makes this preseason critical for chemistry-building, especially with so much fluidity at quarterback. The staff has emphasized timing routes, contested catch drills, and route precision—knowing that small improvements now will pay off in crunch time come October and November.

Defensively, the heat hasn’t slowed down what looks like an aggressive, attacking unit. Diaz, a defensive-minded coach, has doubled down on his philosophy: disrupt, pressure, and create chaos. That approach begins with a defensive line that’s deeper than it’s been in years. EDGE players like Vincent Anthony Jr. and Wesley Williams have looked sharp in early practices, consistently getting upfield and forcing hurried throws. Inside, Duke has rotated multiple defensive tackles to keep legs fresh in the heat while maintaining power against the run.

At linebacker, the Blue Devils return one of their most important leaders in Tre Freeman, a cerebral, rangy defender who functions as the quarterback of the defense. He’s flanked by a group that includes Jalen Stinson and incoming freshman Elijah Rushing, whose early impact has raised eyebrows. Rushing is long, twitchy, and aggressive—exactly the kind of player who thrives in Diaz’s system. He may not be a Day 1 starter, but don’t be surprised if he forces his way into the rotation sooner than expected.

The secondary, perhaps the strongest unit on last year’s defense, looks to reload with a mix of veterans and young talent. Cornerback Chandler Rivers is a future NFL player with lockdown potential, while safety Darius Joiner continues to make plays on the back end. The defensive backs are spending long periods in one-on-one coverage drills during practice, sharpening their technique and learning how to thrive in man coverage against fast, physical receivers.

But talent alone isn’t what Diaz is banking on this fall. He’s looking for grit. He wants players who take coaching, who compete every snap, who run to the ball even when it’s 95 degrees. “Championships are won in moments of fatigue,” he told the team after the second day of camp. “When you’re tired, when it’s hot, when your legs are gone—that’s when you decide who you are.”

The schedule doesn’t offer any favors. Duke opens the season against a physical non-conference opponent and then plunges into a tough ACC slate that includes road games at Florida State and Louisville. There’s no time to ease into form. That’s why Diaz is pushing now—before the pads come on fully, before the lights are on, before the stadiums are packed. These practices are the crucible, the training ground for what he hopes will be a defining year for the program.

Fans are starting to buy in. Attendance at spring and summer workouts has increased. Season ticket sales are strong. And there’s a growing belief around Durham that Duke football isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a real contender in a league undergoing transition. With the ACC welcoming new members and traditional powers in flux, the opportunity for programs like Duke to assert themselves has never been greater.

That starts with preparation, with habits, with culture. And it starts in the heat, when no one’s watching. When every sprint hurts. When every drop of sweat is a down payment on November success.

Duke football is not hiding from expectations this time. Under Manny Diaz, they are embracing them, running toward the grind, and building something meant to last. The weather might be unforgiving, but the mission is clear: get better, get tougher, and get ready to shock people all over again.