The college football transfer portal delivered a late surprise on its final day, as Duke quarterback Darian Mensah announced his decision to enter the portal, instantly becoming one of the most sought-after players available. The timing and significance of the move sent ripples across the sport, particularly given Mensah’s expected role with the Blue Devils moving forward.
According to reports, Duke officials received early indications on Jan. 16 that Mensah was weighing the possibility of a transfer. Those concerns became reality just hours later when the quarterback publicly confirmed his decision in a message posted on social media.
In his statement, Mensah expressed gratitude toward the program and its staff while emphasizing the difficulty of the decision. He noted that after discussions with his family, he believed entering the transfer portal was the best step for his future, signaling a respectful but definitive departure from the program.
Mensah’s exit leaves Duke in a precarious position. The Blue Devils had anticipated retaining their starting quarterback for at least another season, making the sudden loss particularly disruptive. With little time to react before the portal window closed, the program was forced to pivot quickly.
The unexpected timing of the move reportedly caught Duke off guard, pushing the coaching staff into immediate contingency planning. With the 2026 season in mind, the Blue Devils have begun aggressively exploring replacement options at the quarterback position.
One name that has quickly emerged is former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway. According to CBS Sports reporters Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer, Duke has identified Lagway as a potential target in the wake of Mensah’s departure, adding another layer of intrigue to an already chaotic transfer cycle.
Lagway’s situation further complicates matters. The former highly regarded recruit committed to Baylor on Jan. 8 and indicated plans to sign in the near future, though he has yet to finalize the move. Duke’s sudden interest underscores how rapidly circumstances can shift in the transfer portal—and how one late decision can reshape multiple programs’ offseason plans.
