Miami's search for a starting quarterback in 2026 could shake up the entire foundation in the ACC.
Reports from Chris Hummer and Matt Zenith from CBS Sports are hinting at the possibility of Duke's Darian Mensah entering the transfer portal before today's deadline. If this happens, Mensah will immediately be the top transfer quarterback on the market and almost certainly linked to Miami, who has yet to secure a quarterback during this transfer cycle.
Darian Mensah transfer rumors: Duke fans already worried about Miami making a move
Duke has concerns that star quarterback Darian Mensah could enter the transfer portal, multiple sources tell @mzenitz and I for @CBSSports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 16, 2026
Mensah finished 2nd in the FBS this season with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. https://t.co/mkxQThnHvv pic.twitter.com/56lNEQkt7S
Miami and Mario Cristobal need to go all-in to land Darian Mensah
Mensah, who started his career at Tulane, threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns this past season, leading the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC football championship since 1962. He was one of the top quarterbacks on the transfer market last year and reportedly signed with Duke for over $4 million.
Miami has been linked to nearly every top quarterback that has entered the portal, but have come up empty-handed. The Hurricanes reportedly made a major offer to Brendan Sorsby, but he chose Texas Tech, and they hosted Sam Leavitt last weekend, but the former Arizona State star signed with LSU. There have also been rumors linking Miami to Alabama's Ty Simpson, but Simpson submitted his paperwork to enter the NFL Draft yesterday.
Currently, the Miami QB depth chart for 2026 looks bare. Emory Williams is the only player with any significant level of experience, and he's attempted just 45 passes over the past two seasons. However, an addition like Mensah would immediately vault the Hurricanes to the top of the conference.
All this is happening while Miami is preparing for the program's biggest game in 23 years. The Hurricanes will play No. 1 Indiana in the CFP Championship game from Hard Rock Stadium on Monday.
When will the transfer portal close?
Today is the deadline for players to enter the portal. Miami has had to conduct business on its 2026 roster while continuing a playoff run that began on December 20. The Hurricanes have signed four players from the portal and have had eight players enter the portal. However, other members of the roster will have a five-day period to make a decision after Monday's game.
Although the portal officially closed today, visits and signings of players already in the portal will continue through the weekend and beyond. Mario Cristobal and staff have hosted players and will continue to do so in the following weeks.