Why Duke's Nate Sheppard feels he's one of the nation's best running backs

DURHAM, N.C. — Nate Sheppard doesn't like to talk too much about where he ranks among the country's best running backs.But after rewriting another piece of Duke's record book with five rushing touchdowns in the Blue Devils' 47-2 win over Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Wallace Wade Stadium, the sophomore made it clear where he believes he stands."I definitely feel like I'm in that conversation for sure," Sheppard said. "I don't like to put stuff out there like that, but I definitely think I'm up there for sure."Sheppard shows it, too, hitting the Heisman pose after his fifth touchdown against the Eagles."Some of the guys were like, 'You got to hit it you got to hit it,' so I just give them what they want," he said.It adds another milestone to a season that has become one of the most prolific by a running back in program history."Nate Sheppard getting in the end zone five times, what an accomplishment, what a player," Manny Diaz said. "Can't say enough about him. I think everything that can be said has been said. But yet he still does things that no one has ever done. And again, it's not even November."Sheppard finished the game with 129 all-purpose yards and added a career-long touchdown of 54 yards. He's now up to 173 carries for 972 yards and 14 scores on the season, adding another 302 yards and four touchdowns off of 31 receptions. "I think he's the best I've ever been around, really," Diaz said. "Just as complete of a player, throw it out of the backfield, hard runner. ... I've been blessed to be around some really special ones. He's as good as I've ever seen."The five-touchdown outing marked the latest record-breaking performance for Sheppard, who made history during his freshman season. He became the first 1,000-yard freshman rusher in Duke history, finishing with 1,132 yards and 11 touchdowns.He also set Duke freshman season records for rushing yards, attempts, touchdowns and 100-yard rushing games."It feels great," Sheppard said. "I came here wanting to set records, especially at the running back position, and to be able to do that, it's a lot of credit to the guys up front getting me in position so many times and the guys out wide making plays. But it feels great."The five-touchdown outing didn't break a personal best for Sheppard, though. "My career is seven in high school," Sheppard said. "That was my senior year."Duke is back in action on the road at NC State on Saturday, Nov. 7. Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X.This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Why Duke's Nate Sheppard feels he's one of the nation's best running backs