Darian Mensah had the biggest reported NIL contract in college football with Duke, then left for a bigger one with the Miami Hurricanes.

Mensah went 27 of 30 for 401 passing yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions as the No. 7 Hurricanes blew out the Stanford Cardinal 45-6

Miami is hoping to cash in on another big-time transfer portal quarterback.

With the positives, the Miami Hurricanes' offensive line still has some work to do. The Hurricanes played 10 different players, and the lineups varied in success and struggles.

Sports Illustrated staff writer Bryan Fischer sits down with Miami quarterback Darian Mensah at ACC media days in Charlotte in July 2026. Mensah discusses his decision to transfer to Miami, the Hurricanes’ talented offensive weapons and his early chemistry with Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr.

Miami's quest to get back to the College Football Playoff and the national championship game will begin in its own conference.

The ACC's signal-callers are a mixed bag of returners, transfers and first-time starters. These are the best head-to-head matchups.

However, there is a slight issue. The Hurricanes have to travel out west. The last time they did that was a 2024 thriller between Ward and future Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. The Canes have