Former Duke star brings elite talent and experience back to Coral Gables 

For the third consecutive off-season, Mario Cristobal and his staff have landed him a prize at quarterback in the transfer portal, gaining a commitment from former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah.

Mensah, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound upcoming junior, is coming off his breakout season with Duke after spending his first-year season with Tulane. In 2025 with the Blue Devils, Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns (both 2nd nationally) with just 6 interceptions. His consistency throughout the season helped Duke finish with 9 wins and an ACC Championship win over Virginia. 

For the Hurricanes, this commitment from Mensah continues a trend dating back to early 2024 of landing the top of the list of proven quarterbacks in the transfer portal. After going through the likes of high-level quarterback play the past two seasons with Cam Ward and Carson Beck, the Canes now land yet another quarterback with elite production on his name and big-game experience that the Hurricanes offense will need in 2026. 

This excitement was filled with uncertainty once the report was released that Mensah intended to enter the transfer portal and come to Miami due to legal issues tied to a reported NIL agreement from his time at Duke. Despite this, those issues have now been resolved, clearing the way for him to enroll with Miami without any complications.  
 
Now, Mensah steps into one of the most desirable roles in college football. He has the opportunity to get Miami back to where they finished in 2025, behind the high-powered talent on the offensive side of the ball with the help of returning production like Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr.  
 
As Miami builds ahead to the 2026 season, if Mensah is everything that the résumé shows, Saturdays in Miami Gardens will feel electric for the Hurricanes faithful yet again.  
 
(Photo Credit: Duke Athletics)