Darian Mensah is officially on the move. Within the past couple of hours, the rising redshirt junior decided to enter the transfer portal, and he put a stamp on that move with a goodbye message to Duke posted on an X account.
This opens the door for Mensah to make a move with Miami as the likely destination. The Hurricanes have been linked to the Second-Team All-ACC quarterback since reports were released that he was considering a move into the transfer portal before the midnight deadline.
I'm forever grateful for Duke and the coaching staff. Thank you Duke family for everything. 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.
— Darian Mensah (@DarianMensah) January 16, 2026
Departure letter caps off hectic day for Mensah
It's been a wild day for Mensah, the Hurricanes and college football in general. No one really knew what Miami was going to do at the quarterback position with the transfer portal deadline approaching. There were rumblings about N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey wanting to come back to south Florida, but nothing concrete. The only thing that was certain was that Miami was going to aggressively pursue a top-end transfer quarterback, whomever that was.
No one could've predicted Mensah would be one of the options. It was less than a month ago that the rising junior said he was staying at Duke. He had signed a two-year deal worth a reported $4 million per season and just led the Blue Devils to their first outright conference championship since 1962.
Darian Mensah has entered the transfer portal with Miami as the heavy favorite
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) January 16, 2026
Here is Mensah making a LeBron type Decision in which he announced a return to Duke… one month ago
pic.twitter.com/x3QvI6QHMM
Don't get it twisted, Mensah to Miami would be a game changer
If Mensah and Miami can come to an agreement, and nothing has been finalized yet, it immediately vaults the Hurricanes as the team to beat in the ACC and one of the favorites to win the College Football Playoff in 2026.
Mensah threw for 3,973 and 34 touchdowns this past season for the Blue Devils. He was the MVP of the Sun Bowl when he threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Arizona State. This would be the third straight year Miami has reached a deal with a top quarterback from the portal.
Miami has been a light participant in the portal thus far, just signing four players — wide receivers Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina/Florida State) and Cam Vaughn (West Virginia) , defensive back Omar Thornton (Boston College), and defensive lineman Jarquez Carter (Ohio State) — but expect things to pick up considerably after Monday night's CFP Championship against Indiana.