Duke starting QB projections 2024: Who will be Manny Diaz's QB1?

Duke football coach Manny Diaz will enter his first season with the program in 2024. There will be high expectations from the Blue Devils after replacing Mike Elko, who posted two winning seasons with the team in his two years at the helm.

Diaz is likely to be given time to get accustomed at Duke, but he has a big decision on confirming his starting quarterback for the upcoming season.

Predicting Manny Diaz's starting quarterback at Duke for the 2024 season

Duke Football Head Coach Manny Diaz (Source: Imagn)

As things stand, Maalik Murphy is expected to get the nod as Duke's starting quarterback for the 2024 season. The signal-caller will also be representing the program during the ACC Media Day event on Wednesday, along with Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz.

Murphy transferred to Duke in December last year, after spending two seasons at Texas. The player didn't feature for the Longhorns in the 2022 season but made seven appearances in 2023, throwing for 477 yards on 40 passes with three touchdowns.

Murphy hasn't gotten too much recognition as a draft prospect, especially since he was the backup to Quinn Ewers at Texas. Thus, this year will be critical for him, and a good season with Duke could boost his draft stock.

Last season, Riley Leonard led Duke's offense before an injury cut short his season. The quarterback transferred to Notre Dame in December.

In Leonard's absence, Grayson Loftis took over the starting duties at Duke. The freshman featured in eight games and threw for 1,006 yards on 91 passes with eight touchdowns.

Although Loftis showed immense potential in his first year of college football, coach Diaz is likely to use him as a backup to Murphy in 2024.

Notably, Loftis will also be among the six players representing the Duke Blue Devils during the ACC Media Day on Wednesday.

Coach Diaz also has sophomores Henry Belin IV and Donald Tomlin in the quarterback department for the upcoming season.