After Darian Mensah’s sudden exit to Miami, the Duke Blue Devils pin their ACC title defense on Walker Eget, a prolific transfer battling back from reconstructive knee surgery.
Oh, what could have been if Darian Mensah stayed?
That could have been the thought of new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall when Tulane lost to Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff. The Green Wave actually knocked off the Blue Devils last season after Mensah transferred from Tulane to Duke.
Mensah would go on to lead Duke to an ACC championship. Jake Retzlaff led Tulane to the CFP.
During the offseason, Mensah made another decision to transfer from a team making its ascendancy, going to Duke head coach Manny Diaz's former program, the Miami Hurricanes.
Such is the state of college football in the modern era.
After Mensah left, Duke brought in Walker Eget from San Jose State University. The Blue Devils are hoping he can transition into the ACC and keep the program in the running to return to the conference championship game.
David Cobb of CBS Sports isn't sold on Eget being one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC or country this season. He ranked Eget as the No. 5 quarterback transferring from a Group of 6 team, FCS, or Division II program to the Power 4 behind Colton Joseph of Wisconsin, Alonza Barnett of UCF, Jaden Craig of TCU, and Katin Houser of Illinois.
"Given the 11th-hour timing of quarterback Darian Mensah's transfer to Miami, Duke did well to find a suitable replacement in Eget," Cobb wrote.
"He threw for 3,051 yards at San Jose State last season and should help keep the floor high for the reigning ACC champions."
Eget is facing a big challenge this offseason while adjusting to a new program. He underwent surgery to repair an ACL injury. Diaz told reporters in April he was still limited in practices this spring.
"(Eget) was able to move around," Diaz said. "He was able to make some throws. He's not cleared for anything full speed. He's not even cleared to really rip the ball the way that he would.”
"But again, wanted to get him out here on the grass at Wallace Wade and have him make some throws and make some plays, which I thought was really encouraging."
That just means Duke will need Eget to learn the offense quickly in training camp.
