Duke’s running backs are about to get another infusion of talent.
On Tuesday afternoon, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported that New Mexico State transfer running back Star Thomas was expected to transfer to Duke.
The transfer, who visited Duke’s campus on Tuesday according to Zenitz, will apparently pick the Blue Devils after a hard push by the Vanderbilt Commodores.
He entered the portal in April, and things have gone in several directions since then. Toward the end of the month, it was believed that new ACC member Cal was going to earn his commitment, but the Blue Devils found a new gear, got him on campus, surged ahead of Cal, and fought off advances from Vanderbilt, too.
Thomas accounted for 1,499 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns over two years at New Mexico State
Landing Thomas is huge for Duke. He’s a senior with tons of experience, giving Duke another veteran to pair with lead running back and fellow senior Jaquez Moore. Moore is the only significant returning running back after Jordan Waters opted for the transfer portal and transferred to NC State.
Ex-New Mexico State all-conference running back Star Thomas is visiting Duke today and is currently expected to transfer to the Blue Devils, sources tell @chris_hummer and me for @247Sports.
Duke’s had to fend off an SEC team for him in recent days but is now poised to land him.… pic.twitter.com/IhJMtOleBF
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) June 4, 2024
The Devils have young names like Marquise Collins, Travis Bates, and Peyton Jones on the depth chart, too, but if they aren’t progressing in the manner they need to, Duke can ride Moore and Thomas as they build their offense around Texas transfer QB Maalik Murphy.