Duke football is far from being done constructing its roster for the 2024 season. It seems they still have a ways to go.
Recently, Bruno Fina, an offensive tackle who played last season at UCLA, hit the transfer portal and came out on the other side as a Duke Blue Devil.
Duke is now looking to boost its running back room, it appears. On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Wednesday that Manny Diaz’s team is one of four finalists for New Mexico State transfer tailback Star Thomas.
Thomas was a second-team All-Conference USA selection this past season. He rushed for 633 yards in 2023 and added four rushing touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Throughout his career, he’s tallied 1,171 yards and 9 TDs on the ground along with 351 receiving yards and five scores as a passing weapon.
Duke’s competition includes newly minted ACC foe California, a sleeper team to win the SEC in Ole Miss, and the Toledo Rockets.
Thomas would be a welcome addition to Duke’s running back room. Since Jordan Waters’ departure to the NC State Wolfpack, the Blue Devils have been searching for a more proven option alongside Jaquez Moore, and Thomas certainly fills that role.
New Mexico State running back Star Thomas is down to four schools, @On3sports has learned.
The second-team All-C-USA selection is down to Ole Miss, Cal, Duke and Toledo. He's rushed for 1,171 career yards and 9 TDs with 351 receiving yards and 5 scores.https://t.co/VNvB2Ek6qR pic.twitter.com/IvYxP8AEbM
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) May 15, 2024
Lane Kiffin and the Rebels feel like the team to beat, but with Duke making the list as a finalist, we’ll see how things shake out when the dust settles.