Darian Mensah's single season with Duke left a lasting mark, showcasing his prowess and setting high expectations. Now, as he transitions to Miami, he's leaving a significant gap in the Blue Devils' lineup, one that will be keenly felt in the upcoming season.
Mensah's journey from Tulane to Duke was nothing short of spectacular. He racked up an impressive 3,973 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and just six interceptions last season.
His standout performance was pivotal in Duke's ACC championship triumph, where they pulled off a thrilling 27-20 overtime upset against then-No. 17 Virginia.
After leading Duke to a nail-biting 42-39 victory over Arizona State in the Sun Bowl, Mensah made the tough decision to join the Miami Hurricanes. The allure of a program that recently reached the College Football Playoff national championship was too great to resist.
Miami's head coach, Mario Cristobal, is enthusiastic about the addition of Mensah to the Hurricanes' roster. Speaking on "Always College Football with Greg McElroy," Cristobal described Mensah as an "alpha" for Miami, highlighting his exceptional accuracy, pocket awareness, and ability to perform both on and off script. Cristobal praised Mensah's temperament and leadership qualities, noting his natural ability to draw people in and his dedication to hard work.
Cristobal believes Mensah is a transformative figure for Miami, a team eager to return to the CFP national championship. "He’s a game changer," Cristobal emphasized, expressing confidence that Mensah's presence will elevate the entire quarterback room and inspire his teammates.
Meanwhile, former Miami head coach and current Duke head coach Manny Diaz faces the challenge of finding a worthy successor to Mensah. As Duke fans watch Mensah potentially thrive with Miami, they'll undoubtedly ponder what might have been if he had stayed with the Blue Devils.