ACC champion Duke faces a QB void. Their star transfer leaves a massive gap, raising doubts about 2026 contention against rivals.
With Darian Mensah under center, Duke won the ACC championship in 2025 and appeared well on its way to being a contender for the College Football Playoff in 2026 in December.
Things changed when Mensah made the decision to transfer from Duke after its bowl win. Mensah transferred from Tulane before the 2025 season, so it wasn't a huge surprise that he looked for a better opportunity with Miami.
The Hurricanes made the CFP national championship in January and have a history of helping quarterbacks like Cam Ward and Carson Beck improve their stock for the draft.
However, the Blue Devils had Mensah under contract, but it ultimately didn't matter in the end, as the young quarterback transferred to an ACC rival.
Brad Crawford of CBS Sports ranked Mensah at the No. 5 quarterback in the nation and the No. 1 signal caller in the ACC.
Mensah is a huge loss for Duke because Crawford doesn't see his replacement, Walker Eget, as a great option for 2026.
Crawford ranked Get as the No. 54 best quarterback in the nation and No. 13 in the ACC.
"Eget comes to Duke after five seasons with San Jose State, where his career numbers included 5,566 yards passing and 30 touchdowns with much of those totals coming as the starter in 2025," Crawford wrote.
"The NCAA approved an exemption for Eget last month, this coming after Duke lost expected returning starter Darian Mensah to Miami in the portal."
Eget played well at San Jose State, but the ACC will provide the quarterback with challenges week in and week out that he has yet to experience.
Mensah came from a non-power four school when he transferred to Duke, and seemed capable of playing against bigger and better defenses.
It remains to be seen if Eget can do the same.
After winning the ACC in 2025, the Blue Devils should have plenty of momentum heading into the fall. The roster should have plenty of talent for head coach Manny Diaz to compete in the conference.
But whether Duke can compete with Miami and Mensah is another thing entirely, given the clear separation in quarterback play.