Duke running back Nate Sheppard scored five touchdowns in a 47-2 victory over Boston College on Saturday, 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, fueled by Sheppard's record-breaking campaign that includes 19 total touchdowns and the national lead in both touchdowns and scoring.
Coach Manny Diaz said two days earlier that Sheppard belongs in the Heisman conversation, questioning why the running back position has been devalued. "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 what that award should go to," Diaz told CBS Sports.
Staying while others left
Sheppard's rise comes after Duke's offense was gutted in January. Quarterback Darian Mensah, who threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns, and receiver Cooper Barkate (72 catches, 1,106 yards) both transferred to Miami. Sheppard, a second-team All-ACC freshman from Mandeville, Louisiana, fielded interest from other programs but told Duke he was staying days before his teammates departed. "I remember Darian called me and was like, 'I just got this crazy offer,'" Sheppard said. "You got to do what's best for you."
Duke replaced Mensah with San Jose State transfer Walker Eget and rebuilt around Sheppard, who added 10 pounds in the offseason to become a more durable, short-yardage back. "He wanted it. He really transformed his body," Diaz said.
Statistical dominance
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). He opened the season with a career-high 227 yards against Tulane, becoming the first Duke player named Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week, and has earned seven midseason All-America first-team selections.
Opposing defenses game-plan exclusively for him, yet Sheppard has found other ways to contribute. Against Virginia, he caught a lateral and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass — the first pass of his career — on a play installed 48 hours before kickoff, securing a 19-16 win. Against Boston College, four of his five touchdowns came from four yards or closer, while the fifth went for 54 yards, the longest run of his career.
Heisman conversation
Sheppard is one of only four players in the College Football 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 currently, Sheppard named Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, with whom he is tied for the FBS lead with 42 plays of 10-plus yards.
Mensah has since become the Heisman betting favorite after Miami rose to No. 1. Duke travels to face Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in two weeks, a game that could sway the race. Sheppard still speaks to Mensah monthly and holds no ill will. "He's great. I wish nothing but the best for him," Sheppard said.
From under-recruited to star
A three-star prospect out of Mandeville High, Sheppard's main offers were California, Ole Miss, Northwestern, and Tulane. His father, Willie Sheppard, a former Louisiana Tech defensive back, recalls that a major program wanted Nate at defensive back. Willie asked his son what he dreams about on the football field. "In those dreams, not one of them have I ever backpedaled. I'm running the football," Willie said. Nate chose Duke and running back.
Sheppard's senior season ended early with a broken right leg and ankle; his father believes he was on pace to become the first Louisiana high school running back to score 50 touchdowns in a season. He enrolled early at Duke and has since become the centerpiece of the offense.
Full circle at Hard Rock Stadium
Sheppard needs 28 yards against NC State on Saturday 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 — near where Sheppard was born while Manny Diaz's father served as mayor. Sheppard's older brother, Will, is on the Dolphins' practice squad. "It's just crazy how things come back around," Willie Sheppard said.
As Duke's winning continues, Diaz has entered coaching rumors after Florida State fired Mike Norvell. Diaz is 24-11 at Duke with back-to-back nine-win seasons. Sheppard said he stayed for his teammates and for Diaz's vision. "Manny Diaz, I believe in his vision. I believe in what he preaches," Sheppard said. The Blue Devils face three road games in their final four, and Diaz expects close contests. "It's going to be a one-score game in the fourth quarter. It's gonna be who can finish and keep their poise."
Willie Sheppard said the family will defer any future decisions until the season ends, aware that other programs will try to recruit Nate away. "But right now what I can tell you honestly is that Nate Sheppard is a Duke Blue Devil, and it seems to be deep in his veins right now."
