There’s a new massive name at the quarterback position that is planning to enter the transfer portal on the final day. Duke’s Darian Mensah has submitted his request for transfer paperwork on Friday afternoon, according to a report from Pete Thamel.
Mensah is immediately the best quarterback available in the transfer portal. With all the top names already off the board, could Tennessee football be in the market to bring him to Knoxville?
Apparently, the answer is no. Thamel reported shortly after he entered the portal that a source told him that the Vols will not be recruiting Mensah. Instead, On3 has already reported that Miami will be the school to watch.
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In 2025, Mensah completed 67% of passes for 3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns and six interceptions through 14 games. This included an ACC title win over Virginia, despite finishing the regular season 7-5 (6-2 ACC).
This was his first year at Duke after transferring in after two years at Tulane. He will have two years of eligibility remaining as he enters his redshirt-junior year.
The holdup for whoever does go after Mensah will be his NIL compensation, though. He reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Blue Devils that would’ve extended to this past season. CBS reported that it would pay him a total of $8 million over that span.
Thamel reported earlier on Friday, before Mensah officially requested out, that Duke believes that ‘his contract calls for them to have his exclusive NIL rights and only Duke has the ability to cancel that.’ This could create a messy divorce from his former program as he looks to find a new home.
Miami has proven not to shy away from signing massive paychecks, though. It was in the mix for Sam Leavitt and reportedly was one of the schools to offer Ty Simpson a large number to come back to college and transfer in.
