Canes Warning
Fansided

PFF gives a Darian Mensah take that will have Miami fans dreaming of Week 1 arriving

The Hurricanes are expected to take another big step forward with the Duke transfer in the fold
ByCorey Long|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Oct 4, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) talks with a television reporter following his team’s 45-21 victory over the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) talks with a television reporter following his team’s 45-21 victory over the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

We are less than 200 days before the official start of the 2026 season and 201 days until the start of Miami Hurricanes football. That gives up about seven months to talk about what Darian Mensah can do to help the Hurricanes get over the top.

And we are not alone in this quest. PFF recently released the anticipated starting quarterback for each team in the ACC and when they got to quarterback Darian Mensah, the expected result should make Miami fans quite happy.

Darian Mensah can take Miami where it wants to go

This will be the third consecutive year that the Hurricanes will have a high-profile transfer quarterback leading the offense. The results have been very good. Cam Ward got Miami football back on the map with a 10-win season. He almost won a Heisman Trophy and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Carson Beck wasn't the statistical marvel that Ward was, but the Hurricanes roster was better this past season, and he was the right guy to lead them. He was very efficient in the pass game, and he played his best football in the final third of the season, which got the Hurricanes into the CFP 12-team bracket, where they reached the championship game before losing to Indiana.

Now Mensah should be the best of both worlds. He puts up great numbers and led the Power 4 in passing (3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns) last season. There's no question he will be among the preseason favorites to win the Heisman. Mensah also has the experience of carrying Duke to an ACC championship, so when he speaks in the huddle there will be instant credibility. 

But the expectations haven't been this high for the Hurricanes since the 2001 season. That year they ran the table and did it in mostly dominant fashion to win a fifth national title. It's going to be on Mensah, Mario Cristobal, Malachi Toney, a revamped, but very talented defensive line and a host of others to deliver. It will all start on the farm at Stanford in 201 days, but who's counting?

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/Miami Hurricanes Football