The 2025 college football season has wrapped up, and now we’ve got seven long months before the action kicks off again. Still, the world of college football can’t help but buzz with early projections and wild rankings for 2026.
One name that’s popping up everywhere is Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah. He’s being called an “absolute baller” and is already pegged as one of the top quarterbacks to watch next season.
This post digs into Mensah’s wild journey, his eye-catching stats, and why so many folks have their eyes on him for 2026.
Darian Mensah’s College Football Journey
Darian Mensah didn’t take the standard route to stardom. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he started out at Tulane in 2023, brought in by Willie Fritz as a three-star recruit.
But things didn’t click right away. Mensah redshirted his first year, stuck behind established guys like Michael Pratt and Kai Horton.
The Tulane Years
It wasn’t until 2024 that Mensah broke out as Tulane’s starting quarterback. He put up 2,723 passing yards, tossed 22 touchdowns, and kept his interceptions down to just six.
He even added 132 rushing yards and another touchdown for good measure. Tulane finished the regular season at 9-3 and made it to the AAC Championship.
Transfer to Duke and Continued Success
Before Tulane’s bowl game, Mensah hit the NCAA transfer portal and landed at Duke. He took over for Maalik Murphy and put together a monster season—3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns, and only six picks.
His leadership helped Duke snag its first outright ACC title since 1962, plus a wild Sun Bowl win over Arizona State, 42-39. That game was a shootout for the ages.
Legal Battle and Transfer to Miami
Then, out of nowhere, Mensah jumped into the transfer portal again on January 16, just before the window slammed shut. This sparked a legal spat with Duke, since he’d already signed an agreement to stay.
After some back-and-forth, they reached a settlement. Now, Mensah is headed to Miami for the 2026 season.
Miami Hurricanes’ Quarterback Search
2026 marks the third straight offseason where Miami’s gone shopping for a quarterback in the transfer portal. In 2024, they landed Cam Ward from Washington State—he wound up going No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
The next year, Carson Beck from Georgia took the reins and led Miami to the College Football Playoff National Championship. It’s been a wild ride at that position for the Hurricanes.
Expectations for Mensah at Miami
Now, as Mensah gets ready to suit up for his third school, expectations are through the roof. J.D. PicKell from On3 already has him ranked as the seventh-best quarterback heading into 2025.
PicKell even thinks Mensah might climb into the top five once the season gets closer. High praise, but honestly, who knows? Rankings are always a bit of a guessing game.
Why Mensah is an “Absolute Baller”
So, what sets Darian Mensah apart? It’s that blend of passing accuracy, sharp decision-making, and just plain athleticism. The way he’s adapted to new teams and systems—first Tulane, then Duke—says a lot about his game.
Those stats at Duke—almost 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns—aren’t just numbers. They show he can take charge and lift a team when it matters.
Leadership and Determination
Mensah’s got leadership and grit, too. Even with all the transfers and legal drama, he stayed locked in and kept delivering on the field.
His story is one of resilience, honestly. That kind of determination is hard not to root for, even if you’re not a Miami fan.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
With the 2026 college football season creeping up, all eyes are on Mensah and the Hurricanes. He’s got the track record and now, a talented team behind him.
Will he live up to the hype? That’s the question. College football fans are definitely going to be watching closely as this next chapter unfolds.
Darian Mensah’s college football story has had its fair share of ups and downs. He’s shown a lot of grit and some real flashes of brilliance along the way.
Now, he’s gearing up to play for the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 season. There’s a lot of buzz—maybe even some nerves—about whether Mensah could end up as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
If you want to dig deeper into Mensah’s journey and see just how much of an impact he’s had, check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.
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