The Duke football program has many new faces in the program for the 2026 season. Some are expected to be big-time contributors, while others will have to make a name for themselves. Coming off the program's first ACC Championship since 1989, head coach Manny Diaz will need a lot of things to go right if the Blue Devils are going to compete atop the conference standings once again. The Blue Devils have some interesting new additions, and some of them could be big pieces. Let's rank every transfer addition for Duke by projected 2026 impact. Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect19. QB Blaine Hipa Blaine Hipa joins Duke as a graduate transfer after spending his entire college career at Princeton. Hipa appeared in 23 career games and started 10, totaling 2,127 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions throughout his career. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget is the projected starter, and there are likely at least two other quarterbacks ahead of Hipa on the depth chart. The chances he sees the field are slim. Manny Diaz, head football coach at Duke, shouts during the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Arizona State at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect18. LB Jon MorrisJon Morris joins Duke after spending two years at the University of Connecticut, totaling five tackles in 2025 as a redshirt freshman. He is the brother of current Blue Devil Nick Morris Jr. As a redshirt sophomore without much proven production, Morris would have to make quite the climb to find time on the field. Sep 14, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Evan Smith (12) tries to intercept a pass to Eastern Illinois Panthers wide receiver Terrance Gipson (1) Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Evan Smith (12) during the first half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect17. CB Evan SmithEvan Smith has spent the last four seasons at Northwestern, compiling 42 total tackles, four pass deflections, and one interception. Much of that production came in 2024, when he went for 28 total tackles, three PDs, and a pick. The Blue Devils brought in a few intriguing cornerbacks via the portal, and all are more proven than Smith. Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz reacts during the third quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect16. RB Wilhelm DaalDaal comes to Durham after spending four seasons at Yale, where he tallied 523 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 98 carries. He was only the lead back for the Bulldogs in 2025, when he tallied 80 carries for 439 yards and two touchdowns. Oct 21, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ari Patu (11) warms up before the game against the UCLA Bruins at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect15. QB Ari PatuAri Patu is transferring in from North Alabama, where he spent two seasons, after spending the first three seasons of his collegiate career at Stanford. Injuries have derailed Patu's career, as he has only appeared in 11 games over the last three seasons. He has gone for 1,202 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across his career. Similar to Hipa, there are a few quarterback names ahead of Patu on the depth chart, which makes his chances of getting on the field slim. Sep 2, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Jonah Burton (17) is tackled by Texas State Bobcats safety Tory Spears (12) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect14. WR Jonah BurtonJonah Burton will complete his college career as a graduate transfer at Duke after spending the 2025 season at Idaho State. Burton had previously spent the first four years of his career at Baylor. In 18 career appearances, Burton has totaled 31 receptions for 373 yards. Duke has a few wideout returners and new additions who are far more proven at the collegiate level. Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect13. DL Dakota QuinonezQuinonez is another graduate transfer who comes to Duke after spending his entire career at Dartmouth. He tallied 21 tackles and a sack throughout his time with the Big Green.The defensive front seven will be one of the Blue Devils' best aspects next season, and Quinonez is likely towards the bottom of the depth chart. Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz reacts with defensive tackle Aaron Hall (99) in the first quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect12. CB Kyon LoudWe're now getting into the point of the list where these transfers can see legitimate time on the field. Loud has spent the last two years at Montana, going for 43 tackles and six pass deflections. Corner is another fairly deep position for the Blue Devils, but Loud can certainly carve out at least a reserve role. Nov 29, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz celebrates Duke Blue Devils quarter back Darian Mensah's (10) touchdown against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect11. DL Owen WafleOwen Wafle, a former 4-star recruit, comes to Duke after a disappointing start to his college career. He has made stops at Michigan (2024) and Penn State (2025). Wafle only notched five tackles with the Nittany Lions last season as a redshirt freshman, and is now looking to revive his college career with Duke. A starting spot could certainly be in the cards.Nov 29, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs with the football during the first quarter against Stanford Cardinal safety Che Ojarikre (22) at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect10. S Che OjarikreChe Ojarikre has spent the last three years at Stanford, though injuries held him out for the entire 2024 season. In 2025, the Georgia native carded 30 total tackles and two pass deflections. The Blue Devils lost safeties Caleb Weaver and Terry Moore, although Moore did not play in 2025 due to a torn ACL. The safety spots are open, and Ojarikre could compete for a starting role.Louisville’s Nate Kurisky gets a first down against Kentucky’s Ty Bryant in the Governor’s Cup.