Nate Sheppard Adds More All-American Selections

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke’s Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard added two more midseason All-America first-team selections Tuesday, receiving recognition from CBS and On3. Sheppard has now earned four first-team selections, including spots on the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated squads last week.

Sheppard leads all FBS players in all-purpose yards per game (179.8) and stands second in points scored per game (12.0) and third in rushing yards per game (136.7). He ranks second in the country in rushes of 10-plus yards (26) and all scrimmage plays of 10 or more yards (37). 

A native of Mandeville, Louisiana, Sheppard has scored 12 touchdowns this season and tallied 72 points for Duke, ranking second nationally in points per game. His 12 scores already equal his total from 2025 and are tied for the fourth most in a season by a Blue Devil. He has rushed for eight touchdowns and owns four receiving scores. He is the only FBS player this season to hit both of those totals. Among FBS players with eight or more rushing scores, only Cole Tabb (Cincinnati) and Jahiem White (North Texas) have two receiving scores.

Sheppard has rushed for 820 yards and owns 259 receiving yards this season. He is one of just six FBS players this year to have at least 500 rushing yards and 150 receiving yards. In his last game, against North Carolina, Sheppard caught 11 passes, tied for the fifth most by a running back in a game in Duke history. 

Sheppard was named the September 8th and September 14th ACC Running Back of the Week, making him the league’s first running back to receive the ACC honor in consecutive weeks since November 13th and 20th, 2023. He was also tabbed the September 9th Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week, becoming the first Blue Devil in program history to receive the honor.