The Duke football team took a major gamble in the transfer portal this past offseason. Despite already having a quarterback that helped the program to nine wins, they opted to nab Darian Mensah from Tulane.
His addition came alongside a massive NIL deal. The quarterback is expected to be the highest paid passer in college football this season.
Mensah shined as a redshirt freshman with the Green Wave. He threw for 2,723 yards and 22 scores while leading the team to a conference championship appearance.
The Blue Devils saw enough to offer him millions.
Duke football chose Darian Mensah over Maalik Murphy.
Murphy had transferred in after two seasons at Texas. He left for Duke in order to land a starting role.
He secured the QB1 title in Year 1, winning nine games and throwing for 2,933 yards and 26 touchdowns. He outperformed Mensah in a tougher league.
Still, the Blue Devils chased a transfer commitment. They squeezed out Murphy, who left the program and landed at Oregon State.
The move was a bit head-scratching. Murphy has Mensah beaten in both production and experience. He’s already proven the ability to lead the Duke offense.
That didn’t seem to matter to Manny Diaz. He touted Mensah’s athleticism and skill as a passer after securing his commitment.
After one year, Murphy was out. Mensah, meanwhile, was in with a $4 million annual salary. His quick rise to stardom was incredible.
In 2023, Mensah was a three-star recruit with offers from Tulane and Idaho State. Two years later, he’s college football’s highest paid passer.
Was it the right move?
ACC rivals don’t think so.
“He’s not a no-brainer,” one P4 coach said. “Maalik has a bigger arm than he does.”
Adam Rittenburg of ESPN provided anonymous analysis from rival coaches on college football signal callers. Darian Mensah was a name mentioned.
The coach above suggests Duke’s expensive new quarterback is less talented as a passer than its previous starter. Another team’s defensive coordinator echoed those sentiments.
“It was a head-scratcher for some that they invested what they did in him.”
The Blue Devils took a big risk when adding Mensah given the price tag. The quarterback will look to prove his doubter wrong on the field.
Duke football fans will get their first look at Mensah under center vs. Elon. His first big test quickly follows with a Week 2 matchup against Illinois.
The post ACC Rivals Mock Duke’s $4 Million QB Investment Under Mask Of Anonymity appeared first on BroBible.
ACC Rivals Mock Duke’s $4 Million QB Investment Under Mask Of Anonymity
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