Duke’s star quarterback Darian Mensah is making headlines again as he plans to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple sources. This comes after a standout season where Mensah became an All-ACC selection, finishing second in the nation for both passing yards and touchdowns.
His decision to transfer has sent shockwaves through college football. Quarterback-needy programs are scrambling to land a proven passer.
Mensah’s move could really shake up Duke’s prospects for next season. It’s also bound to ripple through the entire college football landscape.
The Rise of Darian Mensah
Mensah, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback from California, transferred to Duke from Tulane just last offseason. Duke went all-in, signing him to a multiyear deal worth $4 million a year.
The gamble paid off. Mensah led Duke to an ACC championship and quickly became one of the elite passers in the Power Four.
He wrapped up the 2025 season with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. That put him in the top 10 nationally for nearly every major passing stat.
The 2025 Season: A Perfect Partnership
The 2025 season was a dream for Mensah and Duke. The Blue Devils spent big to get him, and the results showed up right away.
Mensah’s play was electric, making him a hot commodity across college football. It seemed like he was locked in with Duke after passing on the NFL Draft for another season.
But now? Well, things have changed.
The Transfer Portal and Its Implications
As the 2026 transfer portal window closes, Mensah’s name is back in the rumor mill with industry insiders. His potential move has stirred up even more talk among teams desperate for a quarterback.
With the top 26 quarterbacks in the 247Sports portal already committed elsewhere, Mensah immediately jumps to the top of the wish list. This leaves Duke in a tricky spot, especially since backup QB Henry Belin just transferred to Missouri State.
Miami: A Potential Landing Spot
Miami is definitely a team to watch here. The Hurricanes are urgently searching for a quarterback to replace the graduating Carson Beck.
They’ve got a knack for transfer portal surprises, too. Remember when they talked Cam Ward into skipping the 2024 NFL Draft? Or when they snagged Carson Beck after he’d declared?
Both moves were risky, but they worked out. Maybe Mensah’s next in line?
Challenges Ahead for Duke
Mensah’s decision to enter the portal puts Duke in a tough spot. With just hours left in the 2026 transfer window, the Blue Devils have almost no time to find a starting-caliber quarterback.
The team has already been through a lot this offseason. Losing an All-American candidate like Mensah at the last minute would be a huge blow to their hopes of repeating as ACC champs.
Future Prospects for Duke
Even so, Duke has made a few moves to patch up their quarterback room. They brought in North Alabama transfer Ari Patu and have some hope in true freshman Dan Mahan.
Still, losing Mensah would sting. They’ll need to adjust quickly if they want to stay competitive.
The Broader Impact on College Football
Mensah’s transfer could set off a chain reaction across college football. His move might influence other players and programs to make big decisions, too.
As teams hustle to lock down top talent, the transfer portal is only going to get more important—and unpredictable. It really is changing how college football works these days.
Contractual Challenges
Mensah could be in for a tough time with the language in his contract at Duke. It’s apparently a lot stricter than what most college football players deal with.
This might make his transfer trickier than expected. Still, he’s got plenty of programs eyeing him, and it sounds like they’ll get creative if that’s what it takes.
For more details on this developing story, visit the original article on CBS Sports.
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