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Sheppard a True Freshman Midseason All-America Pick
10/14/2025 10:27:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Running back Nate Sheppard earned a place on the On3 Midseason True Freshman All-American Team. Sheppard leads Duke with 56 carries for 447 yards and a team second-best four touchdowns. He has added 14 receptions for 102 yards and a score. He tops the squad with 571 all-purpose yards.Â
At Syracuse, the Mandeville, La., product became the first Duke true freshman running back to start a game since Juwan Thompson versus Miami on October 16, 2010. In Sheppard's first career start, he rushed for 168 yards, collected 201 all-purpose yards and tallied two ground touchdowns.Â
Sheppard's rushing yardage total against the Orange is the fourth most by a Duke freshman in a game in program history and the most nationally by a freshman in a game this season. Sheppard's 201 all-purpose yards tied for fifth most by a Duke freshman in a game and the second most nationally by a freshman in a game this season, behind only North Texas' Caleb Hawkins' 218 yards against South Alabama. Sheppard averaged 11.2 yards per rush against the Orange, in his first career start, to set the Duke freshman (minimum 15 attempts) record. Sheppard was named the ACC Running Back and Rookie of the Week following the performance.
As On3 notes, "Sheppard's combination of vision, instincts, and play speed has made him one of the most efficient young runners in the country. He runs with a low center of gravity and balance through contact, showing the ability to stay square and explode through arm tackles."Â
Sheppard has two rushing touchdowns in each of the last two games, at Syracuse and at Cal. He is one of 13 freshmen in the country to rush for multiple scores in a game this season.
This season, Sheppard's 7.98 yards per carry is third in the ACC, trailing only Georgia Tech's Malachi Hosley (8.93) and SMU's Chris Johnson Jr. (8.07). Among freshmen nationally who average at least 5.0 carries per game, the mark is the highest.Â
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
#GoDuke
At Syracuse, the Mandeville, La., product became the first Duke true freshman running back to start a game since Juwan Thompson versus Miami on October 16, 2010. In Sheppard's first career start, he rushed for 168 yards, collected 201 all-purpose yards and tallied two ground touchdowns.Â
Sheppard's rushing yardage total against the Orange is the fourth most by a Duke freshman in a game in program history and the most nationally by a freshman in a game this season. Sheppard's 201 all-purpose yards tied for fifth most by a Duke freshman in a game and the second most nationally by a freshman in a game this season, behind only North Texas' Caleb Hawkins' 218 yards against South Alabama. Sheppard averaged 11.2 yards per rush against the Orange, in his first career start, to set the Duke freshman (minimum 15 attempts) record. Sheppard was named the ACC Running Back and Rookie of the Week following the performance.
As On3 notes, "Sheppard's combination of vision, instincts, and play speed has made him one of the most efficient young runners in the country. He runs with a low center of gravity and balance through contact, showing the ability to stay square and explode through arm tackles."Â
Sheppard has two rushing touchdowns in each of the last two games, at Syracuse and at Cal. He is one of 13 freshmen in the country to rush for multiple scores in a game this season.
This season, Sheppard's 7.98 yards per carry is third in the ACC, trailing only Georgia Tech's Malachi Hosley (8.93) and SMU's Chris Johnson Jr. (8.07). Among freshmen nationally who average at least 5.0 carries per game, the mark is the highest.Â
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballCoach Diaz Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Wednesday, October 15
Nate Sheppard Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Tuesday, October 14
Chandler Rivers Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Tuesday, October 14
Brian Parker II Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Tuesday, October 14
