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Duke Star Nate Sheppard 'On Radar' in Heisman Trophy Odds
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- Duke Star Nate Sheppard 'On Radar' in Heisman Trophy Odds
(Zachary Taft-Imagn Images)
The Duke Blue Devils have put together a good season so far this year, with the team sitting with a record of 6-2.
After a weird two-game losing streak, the Blue Devils have been able to bounce back with two straight wins. Duke is looking to still do damage in the ACC this season, and the team has the tools to make something happen.
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Much of this has to do with the play of star running back Nate Sheppard , who has put together a special season so far. Sheppard is easily the catalyst for the Blue Devils' offensive attack, and the team will go as far as he can take them.
For the year, Sheppard has rushed for 972 yards with 14 touchdowns on the ground for Duke. Through the air, the sophomore has caught 31 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns, showing his value all over the place.
College football analyst David Kenyon of Bleacher Report put together a list of Heisman Trophy odds following Week 9 of the season, and Sheppard made the cut. The Duke star was listed "on the radar" for the Heisman Trophy, which is still special for Sheppard considering the year that he's put together.
While Sheppard is only on the fringe of the Heisman discussion right now, this could change if he were to keep his strong play up. Sheppard is currently second in the FBS in scrimmage yards, while leading the country in total touchdowns for the season.
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For Sheppard to completely crash the Heisman Trophy race, the Blue Devils will likely have to run the table the rest of the season, while he puts up high numbers. Duke still has four big games upcoming, with one against the top-seeded Miami Hurricanes and the No. 14- seeded Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
If Duke can at least win three of the final four games, with Sheppard performing well, he could be considered for the trophy. But the performance that Sheppard has seen this season has helped put the Blue Devils into a position to win the ACC again.
Sheppard could have left Duke over the offseason to go play for a bigger school, but he decided to run it back with the Blue Devils and the decision seems to be paying off. There is still work to do this year, and Sheppard will continue trying to add to his already strong resume.
