Duke QB Darian Mensah returning in 2026

Field Level Media|published: Fri 19th December, 12:42 2025

Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) celebrates after the Blue Devils score a touchdown in overtime during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah announced Friday he will forgo the 2026 NFL Draft and return to the Blue Devils next season.

"Let's run this back," he announced in a video posted on Instagram.

Mensah was a second-team All-ACC selection this season and is projected to be one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-3 sophomore completed 67.9% of his passes and finished fourth in the nation in passing yards (3,646) and fifth in touchdown passes (30) in his first season in Durham, N.C.

Mensah completed 19 of 25 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns in Duke's 27-20 overtime upset of Virginia in the ACC championship game on Dec. 6.

"This year was everything to me," Mensah said in the video. "This team, this locker room, this family welcomed me with open arms. ... When the odds were against us, we kept fighting. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world."

The Blue Devils (8-5) will face Arizona State (8-4) in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas.

Mensah transferred to Duke after completing 65.9% of his passes for 2,723 yards, 22 TDs and six interceptions in 13 games as a freshman at Tulane in 2024.

Mensah reportedly agreed to name, image and likeness deals worth $8 million over two years when he joined the Blue Devils, per ESPN.

--Field Level Media