Miami Emerges As Favorite For Duke Transfer QB Darian Mensah

Trinton Breeze

Jan 16, 2026 1 min read

Word around college football today is Miami is now the team to beat for former Duke QB Darian Mensah, who recently entered the transfer portal on the last day. This isn’t some long shot, the Hurricanes are getting serious looks and buzz as the favorite to land him according to 247Sports.

He broke out at Tulane in 2024, starting all 13 games and throwing 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions while completing 65.9% of his throws. He also ran for 132 yards and a score.

He then transferred to Manny Diaz’s Duke squad for the 2025 season, and he took off even more piling up nearly 4,000 yards passing with 34 touchdowns and 6 picks and a completion rate around 67%.

Mensah is back in the portal, and Miami fans are hyped about the possibility of adding a proven Power-5 QB.

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skeeter

Jan 22, 2026

NateDogg said:
Great teams have luxuries. It's been 20+ years since Miami swam in this end of the pool. Enjoy it.

Oh I definitely am lol

No complaints form me on Barkate, especially if Mensah wants him (And also if it ficiitates the whole process by making Duke look bad)

I just don't see it quite as an important as say a Damon Wilson

N
NC_Canes_11

Jan 22, 2026

skeeter said:
Because I think Vaughn and Jacobs are both very good downfield threats, especially Jacobs, and I think Moore is going to develop and Trader is definitely capable of breaking out.

Again I would welcome the Barkate addition, I just think it's a luxury.

Barkate is better than everyone you just mentioned. That’s why Miami wants him.

M
mirvin88

Jan 22, 2026

skeeter said:
I think Barkate is kinda overkill….

But obviously you stack chips and if you can get a good player like this you take him.

I personally wouldn't give up on Trader just yet but the writing may be on the wall for him.

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skeeter

Jan 22, 2026

NC_Canes_11 said:
Barkate is better than everyone you just mentioned. That’s why Miami wants him.

My goodness you people are missing the point.

And no arguments from me, especially as a complete WR…Barkate is a **** of a player

Dr. Citizen Cane

Jan 22, 2026

The U is back to work said:
Hope we keep Moore. Jojo likely goes to NC state I assume

UM is paying Jojo a lot of $$ and he just hasn't produced. In fact, he has the yips.
I wouldn't be upset if he left.

TheOriginalCane

Jan 22, 2026

ZeroBeachCane3 said:
Lmao they knew his *** was gone too and that’s why they were being ******* about it

What a load of bull****. "Burkate dealt with Duke in an open and honest manner." Sure, buddy, tell yourself whatever you want.

Then how did WE know about it before Duke knew about it?

B
BEELUE

Jan 22, 2026

Torocane said:
Agree to disagree.
If they feel they have a QB that's capable of taking us back to the playoffs and they want to.give him as many experienced WRs as possible so they dont waste the moment.....that's fine with me.

ZeroBeachCane3

Jan 22, 2026

Golsen82

Jan 22, 2026

Hufftwoseven said:
Tony Johnson will be gone I’d imagine, pretty sure he took a. Redshirt this year right? Also expect another young WR to enter, I want to keep Upshaw the most.

Keep Upshaw and Moore

O
Odin

Jan 22, 2026

Dr. Citizen Cane said:
UM is paying Jojo a lot of $$ and he just hasn't produced. In fact, he has the yips.
I wouldn't be upset if he left.

Agree,he was expected to be wr#1 last season and I would assume he was paid as such,we had 5 wrs left for the playoff run and he was last in that bunch.

OldhamA

Jan 22, 2026

TheOriginalCane said:
What a load of bull****. "Burkate dealt with Duke in an open and honest manner." Sure, buddy, tell yourself whatever you want.

Then how did WE know about it before Duke knew about it?

"Sorry who's throwing me the ball in my money year? Peace out".

Golsen82

Jan 22, 2026

skeeter said:
Because I think Vaughn and Jacobs are both very good downfield threats, especially Jacobs, and I think Moore is going to develop and Trader is definitely capable of breaking out.

Again I would welcome the Barkate addition, I just think it's a luxury.

After the last 25 years I want luxury. Stack the rooms! May the best man win

Golsen82

Jan 22, 2026

OldhamA said:
"Sorry who's throwing me the ball in my money year? Peace out".

Eget Walker or whatever is your QB . What Manny probably told him

Golsen82

Jan 22, 2026

dookie blaylock said:
trader is yearby, jeremiah is cook.

if he was more than a summer greentree all american then we’d have seen something before year 3.

So we gonna offer JoJo JR?

Unclejoey99

Jan 22, 2026

RozayCane said:
Yeah buddy gone fit right in.. looks like a Miami Cuban lol

View attachment 354493

Mi primo

filmcane

Jan 22, 2026

Yeah, we are in the Cignetti era where if you don't show big results and fast, you're in trouble as a HC and program. The great thing about that is - if Baby Lane doesn't produce at least a natty appearance in the next 2 years, the Cajun wolves will be howling for Lane Train blood and I'm here for it!!!

Last edited: Jan 22, 2026

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90scane

Jan 22, 2026

Hufftwoseven said:
Tony Johnson will be gone I’d imagine, pretty sure he took a. Redshirt this year right? Also expect another young WR to enter, I want to keep Upshaw the most.

Tony shouldn't have another year based on snap counts/games played. The NCAA has no teeth so I could see him getting a waiver if injuries limited his games in two seasons.

Tony was a South Florida kid who moved ahead of Ray Ray but Luke doesn't want to talk about that. Not to mention, Toney moving ahead of Ray Ray. He just wants to claim Ray Ray should have played outside. LOL

Agree on Upshaw, Moore, Toney all being keepers. Crazy how hot/cold our recruits have been year over year. Hope we can stay on the hot side.