Miami Hurricanes' Darian Mensah Named to Davey O'Brien Quarterback Class of 2026

MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of this Saturday's Atlantic Coast Conference clash against Duke, Miami Hurricanes star Darian Mensah was named to the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Class of 2026, the foundation announced on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old is one of 30 among the positional nationally selected to the list. It's recognition for the top performing quarterbacks and identifies candidates for the 2026 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.

Mensah's game has taken a tremendous step forward since arriving to Coral Gables in the spring through the transfer portal. Last season, at Duke, he led the ACC with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. Mensah helped in delivering the Blue Devils' first league title in football since 1989.

Before the poral window closed, as there was little time to spare, the Hurricanes were still in search of a starting quarterback and the San Luis Obispo (CA) native answered the call, plus led Blue Devils go-to wide receiver Cooper Barkate with him.

Mensah selected to take the same path as Cam Ward and Carson Beck, which led to tremendous individual success. He's on pace to surpass both of them. In nine games this season, Mensah has completed 212 of 276 passes (76.8 completion percentage; No. 1 in the Football Bowl Subdivision) while throwing for 2,694 yards and 28 touchdowns with just two interceptions.

The Hurricanes were 8-0 before suffering a 31-24 loss to Notre Dame in South Bend (IN) last Saturday. After trailing 24-3 early in the third quarter, Mensah led back-to-back touchdown drives. However, the Hurricanes' star facilitator threw an interception on the following offensive drive, then fell an Elija Lofton-completed-touchdown short of potentially forcing overtime.

After the loss, the Coral Gables program fell from No. 1 to No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, which were released on Tuesday night. 

Mensah is still on pace to finish the regular season as a Heisman Trophy finalist, which would send him to New York City (NY) for the award ceremony. The Hurricanes have a favorable remaining schedule to finish strong:

Nov. 14: Duke (12:00 p.m. E.T. kickoff; ABC)

Nov. 21: Virginia Tech

Nov. 28: Boston College

The 30-quarterback class will be narrowed to semifinalists Nov. 17, with three finalists announced Nov. 24. The winner will be revealed Dec. 11 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. Fans are able to support Mensah's campaign by liking a graphic of him on the Davey O'Brien Award social media accounts.

More Miami Hurricanes News:

- "Why the Miami Hurricanes Struggle to Generate Quarterback Pressure"

- "UM Men's Basketball Dips in Latest AP Poll, Dominate North Florida"

- "Does the Miami Hurricanes' Offensive Line Need Immediate, Drastic Changes?"