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Duke star quarterback Darian Mensah changed his mind at the last minute and entered the transfer portal hours before it closed.
Mensah, 20, filed his transfer papers on Friday, just before midnight before the deadline for FBS and FCS players to enter. In December, Mensah said he would return to Duke for his redshirt junior season after considering declaring for the NFL draft.
Instead of returning for his second season with the Blue Devils, Mensah will look for a new college team.
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Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) looks to throw in the second quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers during the 2025 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 6, 2025. (Bob Doonan/Imagine Images)
“I am forever grateful to Duke and the coaching staff. Thank you to the Duke family for everything. This was not an easy decision, but after speaking with my family, I believe it is in my best interest to enter the transfer portal,” Mensah posted. To X.
He was reportedly set to enter the second year of a two-year deal that would pay him up to $4 million, according to To ESPN. Mensah’s decision to leave Duke on the final day of the transfer portal leaves Duke in a difficult position, as they have few options available in the portal to replace him.
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Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) celebrates after the Blue Devils score a touchdown in overtime during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 6, 2025. (Bob Doonan/Imagine Images)
Duke’s 2025 backup quarterback, Henry Belin IV, has already transferred to Missouri State after entering the transfer portal.
Mensah spent just one season at Duke after transferring from Tulane the previous season. His lone season was a successful one, as he helped lead Duke to the ACC title, beating No. 17 Virginia 27-20 in overtime to earn Duke its first outright ACC championship win since 1962.
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Mensah earned second-team All-ACC honors, completing 66.6% of his passes for 3,973 yards with 35 total touchdowns and six interceptions. His 3,973 passing yards led the ACC.
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