Full Miami spring game rundown: Darian Mensah shines, WRs flash and biggest takeaways

Miami's spring game was not a normal four-quarter spring game, but it still gave fans a pretty strong picture of what this team might look like in 2026.

Saturday opened with drills and situational work before shifting into limited 11-on-11 action and then a live scrimmage.

Darian Mensah looked the part. Miami's Duke transfer quarterback threw three touchdown passes while the receiver room showed why it may be the deepest position group on the roster. The day also offered a useful look at Miami's young backs, its reshaped defensive front and several freshmen who do not look far away from helping.

Darian Mensah looked exactly like Miami hoped

Mensah was the star of the day. He threw touchdown passes to Cooper Barkate, Daylyn Upshaw and Cam Vaughn during the scrimmage portion (29 yards to Barkate, 33 to Upshaw and a 5-yard score to Vaughn in the back of the end zone).

Both the Barkate and Upshaw touchdowns were well-placed fade balls outside the numbers, and the Vaughn score was another example of Mensah dropping the ball where only his receiver could make a play.

Another note about the QB play for the day: None of Miami's scholarship quarterbacks threw an interception during the spring game.

Miami's receiver room looks loaded

Malachi Toney was held out of 11-on-11 work, and Joshua Moore was sidelined after getting banged up in 1-on-1 drills earlier in the day, but, Barkate showed off his timing with Mensah, Upshaw looked fully back, Vaughn made his touchdown grab, Milan Parris had a strong day, and freshman slot Vance Spafford added a touchdown of his own from backup QB Judd Anderson.

The young backs and offensive line give Miami something to build on

With Mark Fletcher limited in the live portion, Miami got a longer look at Javian Mallory and Jordan Lyle. Mallory is a freshmen who has encouraged Cristobal this spring, and the staff has come away impressed with the running-back room behind Fletcher.

The first-team offensive line was generally solid, though the second group was inconsistent. Jackson Cantwell had a back-and-forth battle with Damion Wilson in one of the best matchups of the day.

The Miami defense had some standouts

Defensively, Miami was short-handed in spots, but there were still some takeaways. Damon Wilson made an impact when he was in, while Justin Scott and Jarquez Carter stood out on the interior. Scott, in particular, was dominant in 1-on-1s. Saturday was also strong for Jordan Campbell, Omar Thornton, JJ Dunnigan, Ja'Boree Antoine, Xavier Lucas and Brody Jennings.

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