The Miami Hurricanes have their quarterback for the 2026 college football season. After a long, drawn-out process, they have brought in Darian Mensah from Duke. Mensah was originally blocked by Duke from entering the Transfer Portal, but they eventually settled.
Now, Mensah is with the Hurricanes for the 2026 season. Mensah was not the Hurricanes’ first choice, though. In fact, he wasn’t even their second choice. Miami also pursued former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and former Alabama QB Ty Simpson.
Simpson ended up declaring for the NFL Draft, while Leavitt decided to sign with LSU and Lane Kiffin. Miami seems to have disrespected Leavitt while he was on a visit with them, which led to him signing elsewhere.
GettyArizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt gets ready to throw a pass. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Sam Leavitt was Majorly Disrespected on Visit with Miami Hurricanes
According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic and Fox Sports, Leavitt was furious when he found out how much money Miami was offering Simpson instead of him. While on The Ryen Russillo Show, Feldman explained that Leavitt found out about it while on a visit to Miami.
“What was kind of crazy there is they get involved with Sam Leavitt, and then when Sam Leavitt is on a visit there, it gets leaked that they had offered Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback, a lot more money. It was reported that they offered him $6.5 million…but when Sam Leavitt heard money, my understanding was that was a big turn-off. Like, you’re offering him way more money than you’re offering me, I’m going to go play for Lane Kiffin.”
That clearly ended things for Leavitt in Miami, and it’s hard to blame him. Obviously, that meant that the Hurricanes had to switch tactics and go after another QB. Eventually, this Mensah business was worked out, and that’s who they will ride with next year.
GettyDuke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah runs with the ball. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
The Miami Hurricanes Will Aren’t Finished Making Portal Moves
The Hurricanes are still trying to bring some players from the Transfer Portal in. There are a couple of guys who are trying to host for visits, but they are still mostly done bringing players in. Mensah was the biggest fish they had left on their board.
Combining the recruiting class and Transfer Portal class together, the Hurricanes have the eighth-most talented class in the country. The Hurricanes will have a lot of talent to make up for next year, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Making the National Championship Game this past season was unexpected after they barely made the College Football Playoff. Taking a QB from the Transfer Portal for the second year in a row shows they believe they have enough talent to make another deep run.
Last season, Mensah threw for just under 4,000 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Mensah will still have Malachi Toney to throw the ball to, who should be one of the best receivers in the country next year.
Miami Hurricanes Allegedly Disrespected QB While he Was Visiting