ACC preseason honors prove Darian Mensah is more Cam Ward than Carson Beck

Darian Mensah has some big shoes to fill at quarterback with the Miami Hurricanes, but he's already on the right track.

Mensah was the runaway choice for ACC Preseason Player of the Year, receiving over half the votes (97 of 188) from the media members polled. He is the second Hurricane player to earn the honor, joining Cam Ward, who received the recognition prior to the 2024 season. 

Ward had a stellar 2024 season, setting a Miami record with 4,313 passing yards, and he led the FBS with 39 touchdowns. Mensah led the Power 4 in passing last season, throwing for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns in leading Duke to an ACC championship. 

Darian Mensah is a proven winner that can take Miami through the CFP

If anyone is surprised by this selection, they shouldn't be. Mensah is already a proven commodity in the ACC and college football. He led Duke to an ACC title in football...let me repeat that: Mensah led DUKE to an ACC title in football. You know, the sport that people in Durham look at as something to watch before basketball season begins. 

READ MORE: Darian Mensah's recent comments to ESPN shed more light on transfer to Miami

Mensah finished far ahead of SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, with Louisville running back Isaac Brown, NC State quarterback CJ Bailey and FSU wide receiver Duce Robinson rounding out the top five. I am assuming that each media member had just a single option for each team, because otherwise I would've expected Malachi Toney to have also received plenty of votes. 

But that's neither here nor there. Mensah has massive expectations at Miami this season and the Hurricanes are expected to win the ACC title and return to the CFP. Anything less would be considered a major disappointment and Mensah understands that. 

READ MORE: Darian Mensah has the mindset needed to lead Miami to the CFP championship

But that's neither here nor there. Mensah has massive expectations at Miami this season and the Hurricanes are expected to win the ACC title and return to the CFP. Anything less would be considered a major disappointment. Mensah understands the pressure and has embraced the idea of following up from what Ward and Carson Beck accomplished over the past two seasons. 

"That was a huge factor as far as deciding to transfer, seeing what those two guys did last year. Made an attractive decision for me," Mensah said during the ACC Kickoff.

The preseason All-ACC team is filled with Miami Hurricanes

Mensah was far from the only Hurricane that received preseason honors. Toney was named to the All-ACC preseason offense as a wide receiver and as the all-purpose player. He is joined on the offense by running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and offensive tackle Samson Okunlola. 

The Miami players made the All-ACC preseason defense as well, with defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., linebacker Mohamed Toure and defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald on the list. 

Toney added a third honor as the first-team return specialist as well. 

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