Whether Darian Mensah plays for the Miami Hurricanes this season or not will likely be decided soon through the courts, but one thing appears certain: Mensah is unlikely to return to Duke.
The Blue Devils picked up a second quarterback from the transfer portal over the weekend, grabbing former San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget. One would expect Eget, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, to be in line to start for Duke in 2026.
Reports indicate Walker Eget is transferring to Duke.
Seems like he’ll be QB1, barring Dan Mahan winning a battle or the impossibility of a Mensah return. pic.twitter.com/jwCT2jAsCg
— Duke Football Reddit (@DukeFootballrdt) January 26, 2026
Another domino falls for Miami in the Darian Mensah saga
Mensah remains in the transfer porter after making the decision to enter right before the January 16 deadline. The allows have been pointing to the second-team All-ACC quarterback transferring to Miami to lead the Hurricans in 2026. But Duke is challenging Mensah’s ability to play for another program based on the contract he signed with the school. There is a temporary restraining order out there that allows Mensah to remain in the transfer portal, but he cannot enroll at another school or play football for another team. His hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
That hearing should provide some clarification on whether Mensah is free to join and play for the Hurricanes next season or if Mario Cristobal has to pivot and find another option at quarterback, be it through the portal or within the roster.
The addition of Mensah, who threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns this past season, would immediately make Miami the runaway favorite to dominate the ACC in 2026 and give the Hurricanes a great opportunity at another big run in the CFP after making the championship game this year.
While the Mensah issue remains fluid, Cristobal and the Miami staff have continued to add to next season’s roster through the portal, with top targets like edge rusher Damon Wilson II (Missouri, Georgia), wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina) and defensive back Omar Thornton (Boston College) all committing to the Hurricanes.
