Miami Hurricanes' new quarterback finds elite talent, including a familiar face, ready to unleash explosive plays and chase national recognition.
Quarterback Darian Mensah is coming off an All-ACC season: completing 334 of 500 passes, 66.8 percent completion, throwing for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns, including six interceptions, starting in 14 total games. He led the Duke Blue Devils to claim their first ACC Football Championship since 1989. Regardless of the success, Mensah was ready for a new chapter.
After entering the transfer portal and winning a settlement, the 21-year-old officially joined the Miami Hurricanes. Coming off a National Championship appearance, the program revamped the roster while retaining key players. Given all the extra firepower, Mensah has an opportunity to achieve an All-American season.
The Hurricanes' wide receiver core improved from a talent perspective. They added All-ACC Cooper Barkate, who was with Mensah at Duke last season, Vandrevius Jacobs, and Cam Vaughn. Plus, star Malachi Toney is coming off a historic freshman season: leading the nation with 109 catches for 1,211 yards, scoring 13 total touchdowns. The 18-year-old is expected to make another jump as a sophomore.
Mensah has high-quality weapons to throw to next season compared to the Blue Devils. Barkate was his most targeted receiver, catching 72 passes for 1,106 yards, scoring seven touchdowns. The established chemistry between them is expected to translate over to the Hurricanes.
Given the familiarity, it will allow offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to draw more schemes between them.
As for Toney and Jacobs, they're capable of catching deep passes down the field. Mensah has the accurate capabilities to complete explosive plays, a quality that wasn't consistently available with quarterback Carson Beck last season.
Mensah is known to be mobile, but last season's official numbers don't reflect this due to being sacked 27 times. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes had one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Despite losing four starters in left tackle Markel Bell, right guard Anez Cooper, center James Brockermeyer, and All-American right tackle Francis Mauigoa to the upcoming NFL Draft, the next group is expected to provide high-quality protection for Mensah.
The projected lineup is left tackle Samson Okunlola, left guard Matthew McCoy, center Ryan Rodriguez, right guard Jamal Meriweather, and right tackle five-star freshman Jackson Cantwell.
If the Hurricanes provide similar protection for Mensah as for Beck, he'll have opportunities to carve out impactful plays, whether it be with his arm or legs.
The California native proved to have the talents to elevate a program.
Also, the Hurricanes can offer Mensah something the Blue Devils can't, which is exposure. As he enters a bigger stage, the spotlight will shine brighter. Mensah is talented enough and surrounded by the right weapons to take another leap in production and deliver winning.
Both will carve out an undeniable All-American case. Now, in a proper setting, Mensah has the capabilities to be among the best quarterbacks in the nation and a promising NFL prospect.
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