Transfer portal tracking for the 2025 Duke football team

Duke football coach Manny Diaz got off to a successful start in Durham, winning nine games in his first season with the Blue Devils, and he couldn’t have accomplished that feat without some key transfers last season.

Sure, stars like wide receiver Jordan Moore and cornerback Chandler Rivers played at Wallace Wade Stadium in 2023 anyway, but quarterback Maalik Murphy broke a school record for passing touchdowns after joining from Texas Longhorns. Former New Mexico State running back Star Thomas finished eighth in the conference with 871 rushing yards, and linebackers Ozzie Nicholas (Princeton) and Alex Howard (Youngstown State) finished among the ACC’s top 20 in tackles.

Diaz and his staff seem keenly aware of the riches available in the portal and have continued to mine additional talent even before the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah, the presumed starter with Murphy’s departure, committed in early December, and four other players quickly followed.

Here’s a brief introduction to each player who has committed to the Blue Devils through the portal so far this offseason.