THE HEAT IS ON IN DURHAM: Duke Football Opens Fall Camp with Swagger, Sweat & Something to Prove
An excessive heat advisory was in effect, temperatures in the 90s and the humidity oppressive Monday as Duke went through its first preseason football practice.
Much of the practice was under the sun, in the heat. A lot of liquids were needed and were consumed. Sweat dripped off foreheads and chins.
And Tre Freeman loved it. All of it.
“It’s been a long, hard summer and it’s really exciting to get back out here and play,” the linebacker said.
Duke’s Paxon Kettering cools down during a break in football practice as temperatures climbed into the 90s on Monday, July 28, 2025.
And the heat?
“We can get back into football shape,” Freeman said. “Yeah, we’ve been running all summer, but it’s different when you get back out there and play football.
“And then it’s about building continuity. Everybody being out there together, moving at full speed, is something you can’t match and once we get that right …”
Freeman, a graduate from Durham, could have been talking about the linebacking unit and the defense, but building continuity applies to the entire team. Preseason practice is about getting back in the football flow, working on execution, honing techniques, covering all the basics that go into 60-minute football games.
There are starting positions to be won and some will be lost in the grind leading up to the Aug. 28 opener against Elon at Wallace Wade Stadium. There’s no better way to impress a coach than with full-out effort when it’s hot and tiring and it becomes a test of will and stamina.
The Blue Devils were 9-4 in their first season under head coach Manny Diaz, who dutifully but unobtrusively patrolled the practice field Monday. Former UNC coach Mack Brown would wear a headset synched up to a loud speaker during practice, his voice booming. Diaz wore a whistle but used it sparingly at the Brooks Practice Facility.
Diaz was featured on The ACC Network’s ACC Football Road Trip, which made the first of its 17 stops in the preseason to preview the 2025 Blue Devils.
“They’re going to have to navigate a much more difficult schedule this year,” ACC analyst Tom Luginbill said Monday. “And I think the next step for them is beating teams you’re not ‘supposed’ to beat and not just being competitive.
Everybody does look at this Duke program so dramatically different than they did five years ago. You know you’ve got to buckle your chinstrap when you play them.”
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah cools down during a break in football practice as temperatures climbed into the 90s on Monday, July 28, 2025.
A lot of observers Monday had their eyes on Darian Mensah, the new guy at quarterback. Gone is Maalik Murphy, the starter last year. Mensah transferred in from Tulane, bringing to the position a strong arm to go with that “escapability” coaches always harp on and covet.
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) practices on Monday, July 28, 2025 at Duke University.
, a redshirt sophomore listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, had some zip on his throws Monday and showed off a quick delivery. He took most of the reps while backups Henry Belin IV, a graduate, and Dan Mahan, a freshman from Burlington, split the rest.
Mensah has a take-charge demeanor about him. He does move well. He looks the part.
“He’s real savvy back there, has a good feel for the pocket,” Freeman said.
Justin Pickett is a guy who helps build the passing pocket and protect the QB. Quite a body guard, too. Another graduate, he’s 6-7 and weighs in at 320 pounds and should be a leader on an experienced offensive line.
“A lot of guys come in and struggle but he just rolled right in,” Pickett said of Mensah, a native Californian. “He’s a great leader and he pushes us, pushes the coaches. He challenges us to be the best every day.”
Monday was day one of practice. There were some very good plays – wide receiver Paxon Kettering made a spectacular sideline catch on one throw – and a few that had the coaches shaking their heads. Mahan once had a center snap sail well over his head, forcing him to chase down the loose ball.
But no problem, the Blue Devils say. It’s a start to what they believe can be something better, something special.
