Why Walker Eget Is Going To Be Duke's Starting Quarterback For 2026 Season Instead Of Dan Mahan
Walker Eget is going to Duke starting quarterback for 2026 season instead of Dan Mahan
Walker Eget committed to Duke following his visit on January 21, 2026 following transferring from San Jose State.
On Thursday February 19, 2026 Walker Eget officially became a member of the Duke Football team as Walker Eget was granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA .
According to Anna Snyder Fayetteville Observer article https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/football/2026/02/19/duke-football-walker-eget-eligibility-ncaa/88766013007/
As a redshirt senior for San Jose State Walker Eget Had career-highs with 3,051 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in only 11 games played during the regular season
His 3,051 passing yards are the ninth most in an SJSU single season during the regular season
The 3,051 passing yards were good for second in the Mountain West and 21st in the nation during the regular season
His 277.4 passing yards per game were second best in the Mountain West and 11th best in the nation during the regular season
He averaged 13.13 yards per completion, which was second most in the Mountain West and 22nd most in the nation during the regular season
Threw for 458 yards (Second 450-yard-plus game in 2025) and two touchdowns vs. Hawai‘i (11/01)
Missed the majority of the second half, 23-for-37, 295 yards, four touchdowns with a career-best 72-yard touchdown at Wyoming (10/11)
Went career-best 26-for-30 with three touchdowns for 334 yards vs. New Mexico (10/03)
Threw for all career-highs, going 36-for-58 for 473 yards, plus three touchdowns at Stanford (09/27)
The 473 passing yards were the fourth most in an FBS game in the 2025 regular season
According to https://sjsuspartans.com/sports/football/roster/player/walker-eget
According to Abby DiSalvo article in Duke Chronicle https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/duke-football-commitment-brief-walker-eget-manny-diaz-mensah-barkate-spartans-san-jose-state-20260126
Walker Eget is taking over quarterback position for Darian Mensah who transferred to Miami
Walker Eget beat out Dan Mahan for starting quarterback position who was a freshman during 2025 season!
At the time of Walker Eget being named Duke’s starting quarterback Duke Head Coach Manny Diaz shared his thoughts on Walker Eget by saying we’ve got a guy who has a lot of promise but hasn’t done it yet and one guy who has a lot of production but is just getting in our offense and learning when camp began.
It was good decision because it was a hard decision Manny Diaz said on Media Call Tuesday . We’re really pleased with how both quarterbacks developed. I think Dan has made really massive strides with all reps he got in spring with Walker limited . And then through competition we had training camp . I think the team believers we can win with both guys . Both guys have a different set of skill sets that we frame our offense around . But what it all came down to was about consistency which normally what you would expect from an older guy , of keeping that same level every day.
Though,
Head Coach Manny Diaz wasn’t the only one to share his thoughts on Walker Eget as his new teammate Duke graduate student, tight end Jeremiah Hasely shared his thoughts on Walker Eget as well by saying he has a lot of grit in him . He played a lot last year an injury (ACL ) and I’m sure many could do that.
According to Chip Alexander News & Observer article! https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article316999912.html
Walker Eget first game as Duke ‘s starting quarterback is Saturday September 5, 2026 as Duke host Tulane for season opener!