Duke quarterback Darian Mensah made a surprising last-minute decision to enter the transfer portal just hours before the deadline.
The 20-year-old submitted his transfer paperwork late Friday night, coinciding with the entry deadline for FBS and FCS players. Although Mensah had previously announced his intention to return to Duke for another year after contemplating the NFL Draft, he has now opted to seek a new team instead.
In a heartfelt social media post, Mensah expressed his gratitude towards Duke and the coaching staff, saying that this wasn’t an easy choice. After discussing it with his family, he concluded that entering the transfer portal was the best move for him.
Interestingly, he is reportedly in the midst of a two-year contract that could amount to $4 million. His late decision to leave puts Duke in a tricky situation, as there are limited options available in the transfer portal for a replacement.
Meanwhile, Henry Bellin IV, Duke’s backup quarterback, has already committed to Missouri State after also entering the transfer portal.
Mensah’s stint at Duke was brief, but impactful. After transferring from Tulane last offseason, he led the Blue Devils to an ACC title, helping the team beat No. 17 Virginia 27-20 in overtime. This achievement marked Duke’s first outright ACC championship since 1962.
During his time at Duke, Mensah completed 66.6% of his passes, amassing 3,973 yards, 35 total touchdowns, and six interceptions, earning him second-team All-ACC honors while leading the conference in passing yards.
