Darian Mensah’s Duke settlement clears path to Miami transfer

Reports indicate the Duke quarterback has been sighted on the Miami campus, presumably in preparation to matriculate and finalize his transfer subsequent to Tuesday’s legal agreement permitting his departure from Duke.

Brown played for Stanford during the previous two years, having been a highly-rated four-star prospect from high school. He commenced three games in the last season.

He is anticipated to serve as a backup to Demond Williams for the Huskies in the upcoming season.

Missouri secured its second player pledge of the day by bringing in receiver Cayden Lee, following a junior year where he recorded 44 receptions for 635 yards and three scores.

Ex-Miami offensive tackle Tommy Kinsler has pledged to Ole Miss, as reported by On3. He participated in 22 contests over his past two seasons at Miami and retains two seasons of eligibility.

Miami is retaining its top tackler, linebacker Mohamed Toure, simultaneously with fellow linebacker Bobby Washington departing for Missouri.

This Saturday marks the ultimate opportunity for athletes from the national championship contenders, Miami and Indiana, to join the transfer portal.

Jordan Seaton, identified by On3 as the leading offensive lineman in the transfer portal, confirmed his commitment to LSU via Instagram.

Seaton spent his initial two collegiate years playing for Colorado, having entered as a five-star recruit. He is set to join LSU with two years of remaining eligibility.

Subsequent to Damon Wilson II’s pledge, University of Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor gains additional strength at the pass-rushing position. In the prior season, Wilson spearheaded Missouri with 12 quarterback hurries and amassed nine sacks.

Wilson commenced his collegiate career with two years at Georgia, subsequently moving to Missouri for the 2023 campaign. He then committed to Miami following his year at Missouri and is projected to replace edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, both of whom are anticipated to enter the NFL draft.

Miami concluded their season as National Championship finalists, experiencing a 27-21 defeat to Indiana on Monday.

Alberto Mendoza, sibling to Heisman trophy recipient Fernando Mendoza, has purportedly agreed to terms with Georgia Tech merely a day after securing a national title with the Hoosiers.

Darian Mensah’s exit from Duke is becoming increasingly complicated.

Duke initiated legal action against Mensah in North Carolina state court, aiming to block his transfer. The quarterback revealed on Friday his intention to enter the transfer portal on its closing day, amidst widespread speculation linking him to Miami.

Sportico reports that Duke asserts “matriculation at another institution and a pledge to play football for that institution” would contravene the provisions of the NIL agreement he executed with the Blue Devils, and that his contract with the university specifies “no other educational establishment may utilize Mensah’s NIL.”

Per On3, Mensah’s contract with the institution contained no buyout clause.

For additional reading.

Emory Williams participated in 12 contests across three seasons while at Miami. He completed 73 of 116 passes for 813 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. According to various sources, East Carolina is regarded as his probable new team.

In a late development, Indiana’s quarterback Alberto Mendoza, who is Fernando’s brother, is anticipated to join the transfer portal, states On3.com. This announcement follows Indiana’s National Championship victory by under 24 hours.

Alberto, a three-star recruit, passed the 2025 season as a reserve behind his sibling on the squad’s roster. Over two seasons, Alberto has compiled 292 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception in restricted on-field appearances.

Alberto’s choice follows Indiana’s acquisition of TCU quarterback Josh Hoover via the portal. Hoover is projected to commence play next season once Fernando Mendoza departs for the NFL Draft, potentially as the top overall selection.

Just days after withdrawing from NFL Draft eligibility and entering the transfer portal, linebacker Arion Carter is set to rejoin Tennessee.

During the previous season, Carter recorded 76 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 defended passes, and 1 fumble recovery across 10 matchups.

Defensive end J’Dan Burnett is making the move to Rutgers from Tulsa, as reported by ESPN’s Max Olson.

Burnett compiled 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, alongside 28 total tackles, in 12 games for the Golden Hurricane last season. He spent his initial four collegiate years with Louisiana Tech and possesses one more year of eligibility.

The Vols have ultimately secured a quarterback from the portal: ex-Colorado reserve Ryan Staub, who commenced one game in the previous year but primarily functioned as a backup during his three years with the Buffaloes.

Tennessee sought to acquire a prominent player through the portal but largely failed until this point. Apart from Staub, the Vols will begin 2026 with freshman Faizon Brandon and redshirt freshman George Macintyre vying for the primary quarterback position.

DJ Lagway quickly made his choice regarding his subsequent destination. The former Florida quarterback is anticipated to commit to Baylor this Sunday, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Lagway was initially expected to sign with the university soon after his visit in early January. Following initial reports indicating Lagway’s commitment, a new report surfaced suggesting the agreement was not final and that Lagway wished to explore other institutions.

Several weeks on, Lagway will seemingly formalize his commitment to Baylor after all.

More information.

Ole Miss wide receiver Cayden Lee joined the transfer portal late on Friday. He recorded 44 receptions for 635 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. During 2024, Lee caught 57 passes for 874 yards and two scores.

Beaver committed to the Ducks in December but subsequently entered the transfer portal due to modifications in Oregon’s quarterback lineup. Primary quarterback Dante Moore is set to return for the 2026 season, and ex-Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola will serve as his reserve after his transfer to Oregon earlier this week.

Consequently, Beaver pledged to Georgia on Friday evening, as reported by On3. The Bulldogs had not secured a quarterback in the 2026 recruiting cycle after Jared Curtis’ change of commitment from Georgia to Vanderbilt.

Salesi Moa, who plays both wide receiver and defensive back, is transferring with head coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah to Michigan.

The four-star prospect, originally from Ogden, Utah, committed to the Utes in December but opted for the transfer portal once Whittingham departed Utah to assume the head coaching role for the Wolverines.

Quarterback Malachi Nelson is embarking on his fourth academic institution in as many seasons. The junior has verbally committed to Syracuse, per On3.

Tennessee’s linebacker Arion Carter has opted to retract his declaration for the NFL Draft, choosing instead to enter the transfer portal. He conveyed this decision to Vols head coach Josh Heupel, linebacker coach William Inge, and athletic director Danny White, as reported by On3’s Steve Wiltfong.