Peyton Jones transferring from Duke
The first announced departure from Duke is one that’s had writing on the wall since September.
Running back Peyton Jones will leave the Blue Devils after spending the last three seasons in Durham. He cannot officially enter the portal until Jan. 2. The news was reported by On3’s Pete Nakos.
Jones started the season as the team’s No. 2 running back. But his role reduced with the emergence of freshman Nate Sheppard and transfer Anderson Castle.
Jones only played in the first four games of the season. He had 28 rushing yards against Elon and 58 kick return yards in that game. But in the fourth game, against N.C. State, his only stat was a 29-yard kick return.
By not playing in any of Duke’s last eight games, he retained a redshirt for this season. That gives him two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The 5-10, 195-pounder had 317 rushing yards and another 94 receiving yards last season. Jones played in all 13 games last year and as a freshman in 2023.
Jones’ departure, while expected, provides further clarity to coach Manny Diaz saying last week that Duke expects to be “thin” at running back next season. Castle and Jaquez Moore are both out of eligibility, leaving Sheppard and perhaps Travis Bates as the only returning running backs on scholarship. Bates is a redshirt junior who participated in the Senior Day ceremony before the Wake Forest game.
The Blue Devils signed two running backs — CJ Givers and Jayvian Tanelus — in the Class of 2026.
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