Darian Mensah is a Massive Win for Miami but an Ominous Glimpse into Future of College Football
In the end, or wherever we are in a state of great unknown, Miami did exactly what it needed to do.
Forget about the money involved or the legal jiu jitsu that was just executed to pry Darian Mensah, one of the top quarterbacks in the country seemingly under contract, away from Duke and to the Hurricanes.
From a football outlook, job well done, Miami.
For the sport as a whole, however, one can’t help but contemplate a future where lawyers are more prevalent than they are already, which is saying plenty. And if a committed player under contract is able to find a new football home in a matter of weeks, it’s hard not to feel great concern about an area of the sport that is already wildly unhinged.
The real story of how Miami landed one of the nation’s top quarterbacks will likely remain a mystery to large degree. Out in the open, a few key moments quickly transpired.
On Tuesday night, Mensah committed to Miami. The Hurricanes enjoyed an additional splash as Cooper Barkate, Mensah’s favorite target from Duke and also his favorite target during his time at Tulane, also committed to the program.
The legal wizardry delivered by Money APAA Sports, Mensah’s representatives, will likely be analyzed by schools and agents in the months to follow. And the fact that Miami was able to land one of the nation’s most talented players despite seemingly striking out in the portal is nothing short of remarkable given the momentum the program enjoyed on the field.
To reach that next destination, Mensah had to first reach a settlement with his (now) former school. This is where things get foggy, especially considering Duke was ready to file suit against its (now) former player.
“We are committed to fulfilling all promises and obligations Duke makes to our student-athletes when we enter into contractual agreements with them, and we expect the same in return,” Duke said in a statement released by the school. “Enforcing those agreements is a necessary element of ensuring predictability and structure for athletic programs. It is nonetheless a difficult choice to pursue legal action against a student and teammate; for this reason, we sought to resolve the matter fairly and quickly.”
For Miami, this resolution, which was likely many millions of dollars in the making, opens the door for an encore season.
With Carson Beck out of eligibility, the Hurricanes were seemingly poised to start Luke Nickel at the position next year, a soon-to-be-sophomore with both plenty of talent and unknowns. The addition of Mensah, however, gives Miami one of the most gifted, proven football throwers in the country.
Last season, Mensah accounted for 35 touchdowns and only six interceptions. His 3,973 passing yards were second in the nation. For a Miami offense that finished No. 43 nationally last season, and with plenty of tremendous skill talent still on the roster, it’s not hard to envision this group, even with key losses on both sides of the ball, taking a leap upward.
The prospects of that upgrade might not sit well with many, and it’s not hard to understand why. After all, Miami found a way to undo Mensah’s re-commitment to Duke after the season ended in a way that feels, well, slippery.
Money, lawyers and contract loopholes made this possible. Let’s not paint another picture. Miami’s desperation to fill its vacant position, through all means necessary, is what ultimately paved the way for this outcome.
This is not a Miami problem. This is a college football problem.
We witnessed a similar situation, albeit with a much different outcome, unfold at Washington. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looked to break free of his contract with the school and enter the transfer portal, perhaps to join Miami, only to retreat to the school after the money and legal logistics didn’t quite align.
This situation, which is awkward for all parties, didn’t deter Mensah from attempting to follow a similar route. The fact that he was successful in doing so establishes a precedent—likely one ripe with conflict—that players and representatives will explore in the future.
While it makes for plenty of drama and intrigue, this does not paint a pretty picture for the future. College football is in desperate need for more guidelines, more rules and more stability. To say this situation only weakens an already weak foundation would be an understatement.
Like everything across the sport—facilities, on-field strategies, excess recruiting practices and beyond—those with means and desperation will continue to survey the landscape, the committed and uncommitted, to make their football wishes possible.
Miami did just that, and the results could be spectacular. It did what it needed to do. For Duke and those that will soon be in a similar position, one can’t help but wonder just when a sport in need of desperate help will finally receive the true attention it deserves.
