Bill Belichick has already seen Darian Mensah once, and the second look comes with the UNC coach holding the same respect for Miami’s quarterback that he did the first time around.
Belichick, one of football’s most accomplished defensive minds, is getting ready to face Mensah again after the Tar Heels’ previous matchup with him. That first meeting did not go smoothly for UNC, and Belichick made clear that the Miami star has only sharpened since then.
Last time UNC played Mensah, he finished with 175 passing yards on 20-of-33 attempts and a touchdown. This time, the Heisman hopeful is chasing even bigger goals, with the Heisman and National Championship on his mind.
Belichick did not dress it up when talking about what makes Mensah dangerous.
"Thought he was pretty good last year; thought he was pretty good at Tulane the year before," Belichick said.
He went further in laying out the traits that have him so highly regarded.
"He's got, you know, NFL-type talent: good arm, athletic, sees things well, makes good decisions, takes care of the ball, he's got a lot of production, very few negative plays, doesn't get sacked, doesn't fumble, doesn't throw interceptions, makes a lot of positive plays," Belichick said.
"So, probably as good as one of the best quarterbacks, you know, in the country. He's got to be right.
I mean, I haven't seen them all, but he's got to be right up there. Can't be too many playing better than he is."
Mensah’s production this season has backed up that praise. He has not had a game below 220 passing yards, and the only time he was held under that mark came against Wake Forest, currently ranked No.
- Even in that game, he was highly efficient, going 30-for-34 through the air.
His accuracy and confidence have continued to climb, and he has shown more trust in the players around him as well. For Miami, that kind of play gives the offense a chance to keep rolling, especially if Mensah can get through another game against an NFL-style defense.
UNC’s defense comes in ranked sixth in the ACC in scoring allowed. It’s not a dominant unit, but it does play together well and sits in the middle of the pack overall. That puts the spotlight right back on Mensah, who will need to stay poised, avoid forcing throws, and keep showing the elite arm talent that has made him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the country.
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