After losing two QBs to transfer portal, Duke football has landed a talented newcomer
Duke found its likely starting quarterback for next season quickly after learning this year’s starter is transferring out.
Darian Mensah, who quarterbacked Tulane to a 9-4 record this season, committed to Duke while on a visit to campus on Wednesday morning. He’s in the process of enrolling in school to join the Blue Devils, who saw quarterback Maalik Murphy enter his name in the transfer portal on Tuesday.
As a freshman at Tulane this season, the 6-3, 200-pound Mensah completed 189 of 287 passes (65.9%) while throwing for 22 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He threw for 2,723 yards. He also had 60 rushing attempts, gaining only 132 yards while scoring a touchdown.
Mensah, from San Luis Obispo, California, arrives as Murphy and reserve quarterback Grayson Loftis depart. He arrived in Durham for his official visit on Tuesday and attended Duke’s 72-46 basketball win over Incarnate Word at Cameron Indoor Stadium Tuesday night.
The Cameron Crazies student section even chanted for Mensah to come sit with them during the game. That’s a practice the fans normally reserve for top basketball recruits. A smiling Mensah, who had been sitting with Duke offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer behind the Duke bench, complied and joined the students during the second half.
Murphy set Duke’s single-season record by throwing 26 touchdown passes this season, helping the Blue Devils to a 9-3 record and Gator Bowl berth.
But neither Murphy nor Loftis will participate in the Gator Bowl against No. 16 Mississippi. Duke has Henry Belin available to start against the Rebels.
Murphy posted a farewell message to Duke’s fans on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, Wednesday morning.
“Blue Devil Nation, thank you for this amazing chapter in my life,” Murphy said. “It was one I can always remember and learn from. Thank you for your love and support throughout the highs and lows this season, it’s been a pleasure playing in Wally Wade.”
He completed the post “With Nothing But Love.”
Mensah, meanwhile, will give Duke a talented and experienced quarterback for next season. Murphy came to Duke having started only two games at Texas last season.
Mensah took over as Tulane’s starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman this season. Pro Football Focus assigned him a grade of 79.6 this season, which ranked No. 84 of 309 quarterbacks nationally who qualified for their rating system.
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 11:20 AM.