The comparisons between Darian Mensah and Cam Ward started almost the minute it looked like the second-team All-ACC quarterback was going to transfer from Duke to Miami. And now that he's here, the expectations are for Mensah to be as good, if not better, than Ward.
Mario Cristobal wants to make it clear that Mensah and Ward have similarities, but they are two uniquely different players that are on a trajectory for success. While Ward helped elevate the Hurricanes in 2024, Mensah has the ability to finish the job that Ward started and Carson Beck advanced.
Mario Cristobal on @On3 regarding the similarities to Cam Ward and Darian Mensah.
— BLEED ORANGE AND GREEN (@Brabra_Savage24) February 9, 2026
“There is something special brewing there” #GoCanes🙌 pic.twitter.com/yNbWgzMEeF
Mario Cristobal breaks down the Mensah-Ward comparisons
"You see some of [Ward's] game in him. He's his own unique player also," Cristobal explained. "Man, so accurate, so mobile. On the run, on script, off script, down the field, intermediate, short, quick game, screen game, making things happen with his feet."
As I've said in the past, Mensah could be the best of both worlds between Ward and Beck. Ward had to carry a Miami roster that was being rebuilt and Beck had to be the guiding force for a talented group that went through some growing pains and was ready for a special season.
Mensah has that amazing athletic ability Hurricane fans saw from Ward, and he also has the support of one of the best rosters in college football, similar to what Beck enjoyed. His ability to mesh the two together will play a big part in Miami's ability to win the ACC and make a deep run in the College Football Playoff in the upcoming season.
What excites Cristobal the most is the leadership that Mensah is bringing into the fold right away. The P4 passing yards leader in 2025 is already showing his character as a great teammate.
"Incredible personality. That part really hit fast," Cristobal added. "And then watching him around our players, watching him help develop the young quarterback room," because we have some awesome young QBs. And then, watching him surrounded by some of the pieces we have now, there's some special things brewing there."