For most college football fans, the transfer portal is starting to become old news, with most of the top players available having made their choices about where they are playing in 2026. However, on Friday, the portal got an unexpectedly huge addition when Duke star Darian Mensah became a late addition to this year's class.
The sophomore has the potential to be a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and finished second in the nation in passing yards (3,973) and touchdowns (34) this past season. He would arguably be the best QB available if he were in the portal from the start.
While programs like LSU and Penn State have their QB1 for next season, there are still some very big programs that are sure to make a push for Mensah in the days ahead.
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The Miami Hurricanes will be a very heavy favorite to land Darian Mensah in the transfer portal. They have shown their willingness to spend big to add talent, and they are sure to do so again to land Carson Beck 's replacement. Signing Mensah would be a massive boost to their chances of trying to repeat as National Champions or get back to the title game next season.
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Notre Dame has a strong QB1 option for next season in CJ Carr . However, one has to wonder how being snubbed for a playoff spot and the NFL breathing down the neck of head coach Marcus Freeman will motivate him and the program to make a hard push to win a championship next season.
While the Fighting Irish are not a school that spends big, players like Darian Mensah don't become available at this point in the portal. They won't be a favorite, but they should at least inquire about his interest in coming to South Bend. The program hasn't had this level of talent at QB in a very long time.
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It took a few seasons, but head coach Eli Drinkwitz has turned Missouri into a team to respect in the SEC. After a pair of double-digit seasons, they regressed in 2025 and now have a hole at the QB spot after Beau Pribula departed in the transfer portal.
Missouri looked like a potential playoff contender until falling apart in the second half. Getting a player with the talent level of Mensah would do wonders for their postseason hopes next season.
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Florida is in a major transition after firing Billy Napier and replacing him with Tulane's Jon Sumrall. But in the switch over, the Gators lost talented starting QB DJ Lagway. Leaving an opening at QB1. The program would like a quick turnaround next season, and the addition of Mensah is the sort of splash Sumrall would love to make to send a message to the country that Florida will be back in 2026.
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The rise of Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss was one of this season's best stories, as the former DII star carried the team to the college football playoff semifinals. However, his return to the Rebels in 2026 is still up in the air after his request for another season of eligibility was recently denied.
If Ole Miss has doubts about Chambliss' eligibility, signing Mensah would be a huge pivot and keep the program in a position to return to the playoffs next season.
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Alabama is another major program looking for a new impact QB after Ty Simpson declared for the NFL Draft this month. The program is set to go forward with a competition between sophomores Austin Mack and Keelon Russell . However, signing Darian Mensah is the sort of transfer portal splash the school badly needs.
He would be a major addition and thrust them right back into playoff contention instead of entering the season with big doubts at QB.
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