Darian Mensah getting hyped up to expectations he likely can't meet

Darian Mensah showcased how talented he could be for Duke during the 2025 college football season, helping lead the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC title since 1962 and a second straight nine-win season.

The California native threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns to just six interceptions and was supposed to return for his junior season to help Manny Diaz’s squad take another leap up the college football ladder.

We all know what happened next, as Mensah entered the transfer portal at the last minute and joined national runner-up and ACC rival Miami, taking wide receiver Cooper Barkate with him just to rub extra salt in the wound. Now with the Hurricanes, the hype for the 6-foot-3 signal caller is growing to a ridiculous level.

According to On3’s J.D. PicKell, Mensah is one of the top three quarterbacks in college football next season, joining Ole MIss’ Trinidad Chambliss and Oregon’s Dante Moore.

"When I zoom out on these rankings and talk about like the things that I value when putting this list together," PicKell said. "... Darian Mensah is a baller, and that's what I value. He doesn't bail out of the pocket too quickly. Can create pretty well with his legs. Pretty release. Really crafty and savvy."

Those are huge expectations for a player who just two years ago was fighting for the starting job at Tulane.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Darian Mensah getting hyped up to expectations he likely can't meet