Duke lands top-rated QB transfer to replace Maalik Murphy

Though determination should beryllium nary surprises erstwhile it comes to the transportation portal and assemblage football, it did travel arsenic a spot of a daze erstwhile Duke backmost Maalik Murphy entered earlier this week. However, it looks similar Manny Diaz has erstwhile again recovered his backmost for adjacent season.

Darian Mensah, a redshirt freshman and the top-rated backmost successful ESPN's transportation portal rankings, has committed to Duke. Mensah, who led Tulane to the AAC rubric crippled successful his archetypal play arsenic a starter, volition person 3 years of eligibility remaining.

Mensah’s determination marks a important summation for the Blue Devils, who are reeling from the nonaccomplishment of Murphy aft a palmy 9-3 season. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Mensah unopen down his recruitment aft visiting Duke connected Tuesday, solidifying his committedness to caput manager Manny Diaz’s program.

The erstwhile Tulane backmost made waves (no pun intended) successful the 2023 season, throwing for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with a completion percent of 65.9%. Mensah's ratio and accuracy not lone led the AAC but besides showcased his imaginable arsenic 1 of the astir promising young quarterbacks successful the nation. His breakout twelvemonth included an eight-game triumph streak earlier Tulane fell to Memphis successful aboriginal November and aboriginal to Army successful the AAC rubric game.

During his caller sojourn to Durham, Mensah was impressed by Duke’s facilities, coaching staff, and camaraderie among the players.

"It’s conscionable a household retired here," Mensah said. "I wanted to beryllium portion of that." He besides highlighted Duke’s world estimation arsenic a deciding factor, noting the allure of a prestigious degree.

Mensah praised caput manager Manny Diaz, saying, "He gets you going; he's legit. They person a legit antiaircraft line. He’ll instrumentality this squad arsenic acold arsenic we privation to go."

Despite his determination to transfer, Mensah volition not beryllium eligible to play successful Duke’s Gator Bowl matchup against Ole Miss. However, his summation provides a spark of optimism for the Blue Devils arsenic they hole for the 2025 season. With Mensah down center, Duke has solidified its backmost presumption and continues to physique connected Diaz’s Year 1 occurrence arsenic caput coach.

The Blue Devils, present equipped with 1 of the astir coveted players successful the transportation portal, are poised to stay competitory successful the ACC and possibly further.