Duke transfer portal tracker: Late QB exit rattles Blue Devils plans for 2026
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Quarterback Darian Mensah and receiver Cooper Barkate will return for 2026.
- Tackle Brian Parker II declared for the NFL; Rivers and Anthony eye 2026 draft.
- Multiple reserves likely to enter transfer portal Jan. 2, led by RB Peyton Jones.
With roster management and player retention a big part of coaches’ jobs, Duke’s Manny Diaz now has some work to do after a late transfer portal entry threw the Blue Devils’ offensive plans into a blender.
Quarterback Darian Mensah, who led the ACC in passing this season, his first at Duke, decided Friday — the final day the portal window was open — to enter his name, ending his stay in Durham after just one season.
This came on the heels of a public announcement about a month prior in which he recommitted to Diaz and the Blue Devils.
Another key cog in the Duke offense, wide receiver Cooper Barkate, also was a late addition into the portal but leading rusher Nate Sheppard will return for the 2026 football season.
Mensah, a redshirt sophomore this season and the ACC’s leading passer, had talked with Diaz and others about his NFL possibilities. But after the former Tulane transfer announced plans to come back for a second year with the Blue Devils, he reversed course Friday.
Barkate, who transferred to Duke from Harvard before last season, had 68 catches for 1,069 yards for the 2025 ACC champions, averaging 15.7 yards a grab, and scored six touchdowns.
The Blue Devils previously had another major departure in the portal: wide receiver Que’Sean Brown, who had 64 receptions last season for 846 yards and five touchdowns.
The Blue Devils, who beat Arizona State in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, had just three players miss bowl practices, according to Diaz. One was offensive tackle Brian Parker II, who announced he would leave Duke early to enter the NFL Draft. Cornerback Chandler Rivers and defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr., also are preparing for the 2026 draft.
Wide receiver Andrel Anthony also has announced his intention to enter the draft. Anthony, who also played at Michigan and Oklahoma, had 26 catches and scored five TDs this season.
Duke also has another departure: running backs coach Chris Foster, who has joined the Florida staff after one year on the Diaz staff. The Blue Devils have hired former East Carolina running backs coach Rodney Freeman II as the replacement.
“The situation is always fluid, but I expect our retention rate to be very good, again,” Diaz said before the Sun Bowl. Here’s a look at the players the Devils will have leaving when the NCAA transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and who’s coming in:
Entering the portal
RB Peyton Jones: Became something of a forgotten man in the offense in 2025 with the emergence of Nate Sheppard and power running of transfer Anderson Castle. Played in four games after being Star Thomas’ backup in 2024 and rushing for 317 yards.
TE Vance Bolyard: The redshirt sophomore from Greensboro was used primarily on special teams in 2025. Played in 10 games in 2024.
OL Jack Small: A redshirt freshman this year, the 6-6, 300-pounder was used in just two games.
S Kenzy Paul: Redshirt junior saw little action in the secondary this season, playing in one game, the win over Clemson.
S Maliki Wright: The former three-star recruit did not play as a freshman this past season.
CB Kyren Condoll: The California native played in one game in 2024 and again saw little action this season.
CB Vontae Floyd: Limited to three games because of injury in 2025, the sophomore played in 11 games in 2024 and was one of four true freshmen to letter for Devils.
DT Terry Simmons Jr.: The redshirt sophomore, a 6-2, 305-pounder, played nine games in 2025 as a backup defensive tackle and was at Duke for three seasons.
S Terry Moore: Moore will be looking for a new start a different school after sitting out the 2024 season. He tore an ACL in the Gator Bowl after the 2024 season and spent the 2025 season working his way back from the injury.
QB Henry Belin IV: Served as Mensah’s backup this past season and saw little action. Played in 13 games in four seasons at Duke and started two.
WR: Chase Tyler: The Georgia native caught four passes for 120 yards as a freshman, with his long a 62-yard reception.
S Ma’khi Jones: The freshman had 35 total tackles in 2025 and played in all 14 games but has transferred to Florida State and has three years of eligibility.
DL Desmond Aladuge: Provided depth on the defensive line but played in 12 games total at Duke, four in 2025.
CB Moussa Kane: The 6-1, 195-pound defensive back from New York played in 10 games this season and had 17 tackles and two interceptions. Was in Duke program for three years.
WR Que’Sean Brown: One of Mensah’s top targets in 2025, he had 64 catches and scored five time. In the past two seasons, his numbers were 105 receptions for 1,291 yards and seven TDs. Headed to Virginia Tech.
QB Darian Mensah: In a last-minute switch, Mensah announced on the final day the portal was open that he would be leaving Duke after one season. While leading Duke to a 9-5 record and the program’s first ACC championship since 1989, Mensah completed 336 of 500 passes (67.9%) for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He led the ACC in passing yards and touchdowns, as well as passing yards per game (280.5).
Portal additions
CB Dylan Flowers: Rated a three-star portal transfer, the 5-10 senior comes to Duke from Western Kentucky. Had 33 tackles and four pass breakups last season. Also was at Southern Utah, BYU and College of the Canyons.
TE Nate Kurisky: Another three-star transfer, the 6-3, 240-pounder left Louisville to play for the Devils. Had 20 catches for 157 yards and two TDs in 2025 season. Has been on three bowl-winning teams.
CB Kyon Loud: The 6-2, 175-pound corner from Montana who could have three years of eligibility and is considered a key pickup for the Duke secondary.
OL Nick Del Grande: The 6-4, 302-pounder started 35 games for Coastal Carolina the past four years and earned a pair of All-Sun Belt honors. Was a team captain in 2025.
WR Jared Richardson: An FCS All-America this past season at Penn, he topped the Ivy League with 80 receptions for 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns, finishing second nationally with 103.30 receiving yards per game.
DL Owen Wafle: The 6-2, 293-pound New Jersey native played nine games at Penn State in 2025 after transferring from Michigan. Will have three seasons of eligibility.
S Patrick Smith-Young: Has 39 games of college experience, playing 29 at North Texas and 10 at Old Dominion. The 5-9, 190-pound defensive back will have one season of eligibility.
QB Ari Patu: Could be Mensah’s backup. Patu, listed at 6-4 and 220 pounds, played in 20 games the past five seasons with North Alabama and Stanford, with four starts. Has one year of eligibility.
RB C.J. Campbell Jr.: Comes to Duke from Rutgers as a graduate transfer. The 5-10, 210-ounder also has been at Florida State and FAU. Played in six games for the Seminoles in 2022.
OL Braden Miller: A transfer from Cal, the 6-6, 310-pound Colorado native played 17 games in two years for the Golden Bears after transferring from Michigan State.
WR Javen Nicholas: Comes to Duke from Charlotte and also was at LSU. Caught 60 passes for 740 yards and five scores in 2025, breakout season for the 5-10, 190-pound wideout from New Orleans.
LB Jon Morris: The Connecticut native played at UConn but decided to make a move. The 6-2, 200 pounder played in five games for the Huskies in 2025 and had five tackles.
DB Che Ojarikre: Moved to cornerback, he played in 12 games and started six for Stanford as a redshirt sophomore in 2025. Missed 2024 season with an injury. Born in London, grew up in Georgia.
DL Dakota Quinonez: Another Ivy League transfer, the 6-1, 285-pound South Carolina native comes to Duke from Dartmouth. Was named first-team all-Ivy League.
RB Billy Daal: Played 25 games at Yale the past four years. The 6-1, 220-pounder rushed for 439 yards on 80 carries and two touchdowns, and added 11 receptions for 51 yards in 2025.
DB Evan Smith: Played 31 games in four seasons at Northwestern, making four starts. Played in eight games in 2025 and 12 in 2024. The 5-10, 185-pound defensive back will have one year of eligibility.
QB Walker Eget: After losing Mensah, the Blue Devils turned to the San Jose State QB, who played four seasons and passed for 5,566 yards and 30 TDs. Eget had 3,047 yards and 17 TDs last season.
This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
