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Max Olson
Duke starting quarterback Darian Mensah is entering the NCAA transfer portal.
Mensah submitted his request for transfer paperwork Friday ahead of the midnight deadline for FBS and FCS players to enter the portal.
«This wasn’t an easy decision, but after talking with my family, I believe it’s in my best interest to enter the transfer portal,» Mensah said in a post on X.
Miami looms as the expected favorite in Mensah’s recruitment when he officially becomes available. The Hurricanes have signed transfer quarterbacks in consecutive years with Cam Ward and Carson Beck and have not landed one during the two-week transfer window that opened Jan. 2.
Tulane to Duke after the 2024 season and led the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC championship since 1962 with a 27-20 overtime upset of No. 17 Virginia in the conference title game.
Mensah earned second-team All-ACC honors after producing a conference-leading 3,973 passing yards on 67% passing with 35 total touchdowns and six interceptions. He has started 27 career games at Tulane and Duke and has two more years of eligibility.
If Mensah departs the program on the final day of the NCAA transfer window, it will put coach Manny Diaz and the Blue Devils in a difficult position with few proven options still available in the portal.
Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV already entered the portal as a graduate transfer and committed to Missouri State on Thursday.
Duke closed out a 9-5 season with a 42-39 victory over Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
