Duke football spring finale features new QB1, stingy defense, young playmakers

There was no tackling, the adjusted scoring system didn’t make much sense and the weather had more bite than the hits. But Duke football’s spring game still gave a solid preview of what’s to come.

Darian Mensah looks ready to take the reins. The defense is still nasty up front. And there’s clearly more depth on the roster this spring for coach Manny Diaz to work with.

Here are three takeaways from the Blue Devils’ spring showcase at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday:

Darian Mensah: New QB1

Mensah — a transfer from Tulane — is the quarterback to beat in Durham.

The Blue Devils found their likely 2025 starter at QB quickly after Maalik Murphy and Grayson Loftis hit the transfer portal in December. Mensah, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt freshman, led Tulane to a 9–4 record last season, throwing for 2,723 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He added 60 carries on the ground — enough to keep defenses honest and give offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer more flexibility.

Mensah’s combination of poise, mobility and arm talent was on display in Duke’s spring game Saturday, particularly on a 75-yard touchdown pass to Que’Sean Brown — even after recovering a bad snap and throwing under pressure. Mensah also connected with Brown again on a 31-yard strike, showing both command and confidence. Mensah finished 12 for 14 on passes, with approximately 185 yards and two touchdowns.

Redshirt junior Henry Belin IV, who started the Gator Bowl, was also in the mix at quarterback, with true freshman Dan Mahan seeing some snaps as well. Both recorded touchdowns. Belin completed 13 of 19 passes for roughly 132 yards, and Mahan was 6 for 14 for pproximately 50 yards.

“I certainly thought our quarterbacks were in control,” Diaz said. “I thought Darian did a great job starting off with a touchdown drive … just a continuation of what we’ve seen all spring. But I also thought Henry, and even Dan, got in there and did some really good things. We feel really good about our quarterback room.”

Defense dominant, shows depth

Duke’s defense returns six starters from a group that ranked top-5 nationally in sacks per game, tackles for loss per game and fumbles recovered last season. That experience was on full display, even in a no-tackling format.

Returning linebackers Tre Freeman and Nick Morris Jr. — who suffered a season-ending injury in the Blue Devils’ 2024 season opener — were active sideline to sideline, combining for at least seven tackles and two sacks. Defensive tackle Josiah Green, a graduate transfer from Dartmouth, had a tipped pass. Returning defensive tackle Desmond Aladuge got home for a “sack,” and running back turned safety Travis Bates had an impressive backfield tackle, both helping the defense rack up points in the modified scoring system.

“I think the depth helps,” Diaz said. “We have a saying, ‘We coach next year’s team this year.’ So I think that’ll pay off for us this year. It is time for some other guys to step up.”

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Kendall Johnson, in particular, made the most of his reps on Saturday. Johnson finished with five tackles and a pass breakup. The 6-3 Maryland native continues to carve out a role within Duke’s deep linebacker rotation and looks poised to be a steady contributor for the Blue Devils’ defense this fall.

Even with limited contact, the white team’s defense held strong, forcing multiple three-and-outs and making life difficult for the offense behind the line. Dawson Andrew, Julius Columbus and Ma’khi Jones all had standout moments.

It’s not just the starters — Duke’s depth looks like a legitimate strength again.

Que’Sean Brown gives offense juice

If there were any questions about who would emerge as Duke’s go-to weapon on the outside, Brown answered them Saturday — and emphatically.

Brown had a monster day, hauling in multiple deep throws from Mensah, including a 75-yard touchdown that highlighted Brown’s ability to separate and finish downfield. He finished with roughly six catches for 145 yards and a score, looking every bit like the Blue Devils’ clear-cut WR1. His connection with the quarterbacks — particularly Mensah — stood out, with timing and trust already evident throughout the scrimmage.

Pair him with returning starter Sahmir Hagans, who added around 46 yards and a touchdown on four catches, and fellow returner Spencer Jones — who opened the scoring with a 33-yard TD from Mensah and later sealed the game with a 20-yard strike from Mahan — and Duke exits spring ball with a receiving corps that looks both explosive and deep. With Brown’s breakout, Hagans’ reliability and Jones’ continued growth, the group offers a strong mix of speed, experience and vertical threat.

It’s a promising foundation for an offense adjusting to a new starting quarterback this fall.

Final Score: Offense 38, Defense 26.

Final Assessment: Duke isn’t rebuilding — it’s retooling. The foundation looks strong.

This story was originally published April 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM.