© James Guillory/Imagn
The highest-paid quarterback in college football in 2025 was not Arch Manning. It wasn’t Fernando Mendoza, or Carson Beck, or even Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
Instead, that honor belonged to Duke Blue Devils QB Darian Mensah.
Mensah stunned the college football world when he signed a multi-year deal with the Blue Devils worth a reported $4 million per year after a breakout redshirt freshman at Tulane.
He then proceeded to deliver on that deal, throwing for 3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just six interceptions as Duke won its first ACC Championship in football since 1989, and its first outright championship since 1962.
Now, however, Mensah could be back on the market.
Duke QB Darian Mensah Exploring Re-Entry Of Transfer Portal
Matt Zenits of CBS Sports reported on Friday afternoon that sources at Duke were concerned that Mensah could opt to re-enter the portal just hours before the window to do so slams close.
“His name has surfaced repeatedly this cycle as a potentially movable quarterback in conversations with industry sources, and that chatter has only intensified in the closing hours of the 2026 portal window as quarterback-needy programs look to add a proven passer,” Zenitz reports.
The NIL market has only continued to take off since Mensah signed with the Blue Devils a year ago. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore just opted to return to college in 2026 despite the likelihood that he’d have gone in the top five on the NFL Draft. Rumors suggest the Ducks could pay Moore north of $7 million for doing so.
Meanwhile, Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt just signed a hefty deal to commit to LSU over Tennessee and multiple other suitors.
Should Mensah enter the portal, the Volunteers and Miami Hurricanes are expected to be among the top suitors. The Hurricanes are looking to replicate the success they’ve had in recent seasons, with transfer quarterback Cam Ward going No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and fellow transfer Carson Beck leading the ‘Canes to the 2026 national championship game.
Should Mensah leave, Duke is expected to pursue the buyout clause in his contract, similar to what Washington did with quarterback Demond Williams, who ultimately opted to return to the Huskies.