4×400 record falls as Hurricanes impress at the Razorback Invitational

Shea Mcdonald
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4×400 record falls as Hurricanes impress at the Razorback Invitational

In their second meet of the indoor season, Miami Hurricanes track and field made waves at the Razorback Invitational in Arkansas. Across the weekend, they set new records with many new names entering the top-five in Hurricanes history. 

Miami got a strong start on Friday from its throwers in the field. In the weight throw, newcomer Tania Da Silva stepped onto the circle and entered her name into Hurricanes history. The junior out of Porto Alegre, Brazil, launched a throw of 21.82 m, the second-longest mark in school history.

In fourth, Da Silva was joined by ECU transfer junior Jocelyn Pringle (fifth) and Calea Jackson (eighth), who put up personal best performances in the event.

For the men, Desmond Coleman placed second with a throw of 20.55 m and junior Heath Vernor was right behind with a throw of 19.02 m. 

The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday when the men’s 4×400-meter team of seniors Sean Watkins, George Franks and Robert Joseph, and junior Ace Malone came in second. Their time of 3:05.52 broke the school record set last year.

Watkins and Franks, part of that grouping that set the record in February of last year, are continuing their expertise in the relay, now a part of four of the five squads in the men’s top five. 

Individually in the 400, Malone shined as well. His time of 45.75 placed fourth on the day and, with a new personal best, moved him into second place all-time in the event, right over Davian Clark’s 1998 mark and 0.01 second behind Solomon Strader’s record that he set last year. 

Redshirt sophomore Daphnee Lavassas competes in the Women’s 1500m at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational Meet at Cobb Stadium on April 9, 2022. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

The women didn’t disappoint either; seniors Gabriella Grissom and Sanaa Hebron, sophomore Serena Tate and Arizona transfer Antonia Sanchez Nunez came in sixth, but their time of 3:32.15 was the third fastest time in school history. It’s the first new addition to the school’s indoor top-five in the relay since 2023, when a team Hebron was a part of set the previous third-best time. 

In the 800, joined by Grissom, senior Natalie Varela placed second with a time of 2:01.82, taking her into second all-time in the event with her new personal best. Grissom, who holds the record, was right behind at 2:01.87, coming in third. With the men, Enrique Borrego moved into fourth all-time in the 800m with a time of 8:23.01.

Staying on the track, junior Maddie Scheier continued to make strides in taking the 3000-meter record. With a time of 9:30.00, she set a new personal best by 13 seconds and is now nine seconds short of the record set by Daphnee Lavassas in 2024. 

Rounding it out in the heptathlon, senior Edgar Campre opened with a strong showing, but graduate transfer from Cincinnati, Dominique Hall, opened his Miami career with a strong showing as well. With a total of 5603 points, Hall entered into the top five right above the mark set by Roland DaSilva in 2008. 

Coming off their strong start to the season, Hurricanes track and field will hope to continue the momentum in a couple weeks over in Clemson, S.C., for the Tiger Paw Invitational. The meet is Feb. 13 and 14. 

Freshman Erikka Hill throws in the Women’s Javelin Throw event at the Hurricane Invitational at Cobb Stadium on March 19, 2022. Hill earned second place, throwing for a distance of 47.01 meters, breaking 16-year-old team record. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

A Hurricane heartbreak: Losing the national championship

Madison Block
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A Hurricane heartbreak: Losing the national championship

As red and white confetti burst from the cannons and began to fall following the national championship game, I realized the celebration had officially started. But it wasn’t for us.

It’s been almost two weeks since the loss, and it still hurts.

For many UM faculty, students, alumni and Miami natives, the loss wasn’t just a regular football game, it was an emotional closing and heartbreak shared by thousands.

In the last two minutes of the game, time itself seemed to slow down.

Miami prevented Indiana from scoring a crucial touchdown. Indiana ended their possession with a field goal, boosting the score to 27-21, which would unfortunately be the last points scored during the game.

Miami got a hold of the ball, and with 1:30 left, it seemed that all hope wasn’t lost. Each first down had the Miami crowd erupting, but many began to hold their breath — myself included.

A crucial catch from CJ Daniels pushed Miami to an important first down, but time was running out. Less than one minute was left for the Canes to make history. After ending the infamous Fiesta Bowl curse and pulling off other last-minute wins this season like against Ole Miss, it felt like the Hurricanes were destined to emerge victorious in this game too. 

I could practically taste the confetti. With 51 seconds left, Miami’s student section was so tense, no one moved a muscle.

Everyone was on their feet. Phones were out and hearts were pounding. People began grabbing strangers, reassuring each other that we would win the game. At that moment, we all shared one common trait — being a Hurricane.

I could already see the parades, the parties, the state-wide celebration and even the small chance that all classes would be canceled the next day. I saw a win that would prove to the sports world that the “U” had finally returned to glory.

But then came the last play of the game.

With a first down and less than a minute left, Carson Beck scrambled to find someone. When the ball left his hands, it was like the world held its breath and everything was moving in slow motion.

When I saw a player in a red jersey catch the ball, a pain hit my chest, and I came back to reality. It was like getting the wind knocked out of you. A single interception had just ended our season and our hopes at a 2026 national championship win.

Most of Miami’s student section rushed out of the stadium within seconds of the catch. Not only a feeling of sadness, but a feeling of embarrassment washed over me. A painful, public, beatdown at home that was watched by millions.

As thousands of Miami fans fled our home stadium, Indiana fans stayed behind, relishing in a historic moment for their community.

I finally realized our historic run was over, and that I did, in fact, have class tomorrow. 

So, even though Miami didn’t get the parade, the confetti or the trophy, we made history, and I gained a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will talk about for years.

I got to see thousands of UM alumni return to Miami and support the community. I even spoke with a 2004 graduate who experienced a similar loss in 2002. We swapped stories about campus, and laughed about things that only a Hurricane would understand. 

Now, with a new quarterback and several returning players, ‘Canes fans are hoping for a continued legacy of success in the seasons to come.

Miami WBB falls 74-58 to No. 20 Duke in Thursday night showdown

Bella Armstrong
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Miami WBB falls 74-58 to No. 20 Duke in Thursday night showdown

The Miami women’s basketball team fell to No. 20 Duke 74-58 Thursday night at the Watsco Center, in a game defined by early Duke offensive action and an emotional celebration of legendary UM Head Coach Katie Meier.

The matchup marked Miami’s first home game since Jan. 11 and doubled as a celebration of Meier, the program’s winningest coach, who led Miami to its first Elite 8 bid in 2023. It was a night of celebrating players, too, with Amarachi Kimpson being honored for her 1,000th career point and Ra Shaya Kyle, who was recognized for her 1,500th career points — one of only twelve ‘Canes to do so.

Entering the night at 12-8 overall and 4-5 in ACC play, the Hurricanes looked to build off a dramatic comeback road win at SMU against a ranked Duke team.

Miami leaned heavily on guard play throughout the night, with Ra Shaya Kyle scoring a commanding 21 points and Gal Raviv with 16 points, setting the tone offensively. The Hurricanes showed resilience, but even with flashes of offensive brilliance, they struggled to challenge Duke’s height and scoring prowess. 

Duke controlled the opening tip and set the tone early. Miami Junior Amarachi Kimpson grabbed the first rebound of the game, but it was Miami’s Ra Shaya Kyle who scored within the first 30 seconds to give the Hurricanes a quick 2-0 lead. Duke settled into man-to-man defense, and shortly after, the Blue Devils began offensively overpowering the ‘Canes.

Ashlon Jackson knocked down a three-pointer to extend Duke’s lead to 7-2 before Kimpson answered with a three of her own, cutting it to 7-5. Duke continued to control the pace throughout the first quarter, ultimately stretching the lead to 19-7 before Miami cut it to 19-9. Duke responded once more, pushing the lead to 21-9.

David Lebowitz, Photo Editor/ Sophomore Guard Ahnay Adams celebrates against Duke on Juanuary 29, 2026.

Raviv and Kyle shone bright during the second quarter, with Kyle making her first free throw and scoring three baskets in a row for a total of seven points and Raviv playing aggressive defense, making the Blue Devils scrap for every point. 

After intense action up and down the court, the Hurricanes trailed behind the Blue Devils 39-23 going into halftime. 

The third quarter witnessed an exhilarating resurgence for the Hurricanes who collectively scored an impressive 27 points, but the Blue Devils still maintained a 55-50 lead. Compared to Duke’s 14 new points on the board, Miami seemed to be gaining speed ahead of the fourth quarter. 

Miami Center Ra Shaya Kyle said “trusting our teammates, trusting in what we do every day [and] play[ing] hard the whole time” was critical to their fantastic third quarter performance.

“They competed at a higher level than we did [in the third quarter],” said Duke Head Coach Kara Lawson post-game. “We were making errors on our side of the coverage, and they made us pay for it.”

The question on everyone’s mind going into that final quarter was, will the Hurricanes be able to undo the damage done by the Blue Devils in the first two?

Unfortunately for Miami, Duke regained composure and controlled the scoreboard until the final buzzer. An eight minute scoring drought ensured the Hurricanes would not be able to take the lead, despite their third quarter comeback. And with two critical late three-pointers from Duke’s Jordan Wood, the Blue Devils never faltered.

Miami came knocking, but Duke shut the door in its face. Even with powerhouse performances from Kyle, Raviv, and Okolo, the Hurricanes simply couldn’t catch up to the Blue Devils who seemed to be two steps ahead of them all game. 

With 23 points on the board and 11 rebounds by the end of the night, Duke’s Toby Fournier was a formidable opponent on the court. Taina Mair and Jordan Wood were also star-studded, bringing 18 and 12 points to the table, respectively. 

“Toby is one of the best players in the conference and one of the best players in the country,” said Coach Lawson. “She is so undervalued nationally for what she does night in and night out. When you look at the top forwards in the country, she’s right there in the mix.” 

But despite this loss, the Hurricanes look to the games ahead with strategic optimism. 

“This is the first year for several of these players to play together,” said Miami Head Coach Tricia Cullop. “We don’t have any consistency from last year, so any game you see us starting to gel is a good game.”

“If we can persevere and continue to get better, the best is ahead of us,” Coach Cullop continued. 

Miami will return to Watsco Center Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2:00 p.m. to host Syracuse. 

David Lebowitz, Photo Editor/ Long time Women’s Basketball coach Katie Meier’s banner was unveiled on Juanuary 29, 2026.

Hurricanes MBB fight to the end, defeat Stanford 79-70

Zach Cohen
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Hurricanes MBB fight to the end, defeat Stanford 79-70

As Red Panda dazzled the crowd with an acrobatic halftime performance on a unicycle, Miami displayed a spirited performance of its own when the game mattered most. 

Miami beat the Stanford Cardinal 79-70 on Wednesday night at the Watsco Center. 

The game was defined by runs and Miami made the last push to seal the game. 

Down 56-53 inching back into the game with just under seven minutes left in regulation, freshman guard Dante Allen hoisted up a straightaway three pointer. It swished straight through the net and Miami tied the game at 56.

The packed student section turned into a frenzy for the first time all night, rejuvenating life into the building. 

A pair of high flying alleyoop dunks by freshman forward Shelton Henderson and senior Ernest Udeh Jr made the crowd explode. Miami went on a 12-2 run and with 1:20 left on the clock led 71-61. 

First year head coach Jai Lucas decided to plug in freshman Guard Dante Allen into the starting lineup over junior Tru Washington. This was the first game all season Washington came off the bench. 

Washington made his 26 minutes count, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the second half and went four-for-four from the charity stripe.

UM ended the game similar to how they started. 

Makena Wong, Staff Photographer // Red Panda performs during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Stanford on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2026.

Tre Donaldson led the Hurricanes (17-4, 6-2 ACC) on a 7-0 run to start the game but its inconsistent shooting was its kryptonite most of the game. 

Up 22-12 with 11:38 left to go in the first half, Stanford started to turn the corner, going on 7-0 run of its own to trail by four, 23-19. 

Donaldson’s 13 of Miami’s first 25 points kept them out in front. 

Stanford closed the half on a 8-0 run while the Hurricanes went scoreless from the field in the last 5:49. 

The Cardinal (14-17, 3-5 ACC) is better than their record says. They defeated ranked Louisville and North Carolina on its home floor earlier this month. 

Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie has been thriving all season, ranked third in scoring for freshmen with 21.7 points per game. Although his 19 points were a team high, he shot 8-for-21 from the field. 

“It took him [Okorie] a lot of shots to get what he needed,” senior forward Malik Reneau said.

Reneau’s 20-point performance was a team high and he was especially physical in the interior, shooting 6-for-10 from the field.

Free throws were a cause of concern throughout the night. Close to the 14 minute mark of the second half, freshman forward Timo Malovec missed three foul shots in row after getting fouled beyond the arc. 

On the night, UM shot 19-for-31 from the line, marking a 61% clip. 

Malovec made up for his poor three point shooting, sinking in back-to-back three point shots. His shooting prowess led the ’Canes to within four, 50-46. 

Miami’s physicality and speed helped them throughout the game as they scored 13 fast break points to Stanford’s zero. They also scored 17 points off turnovers. 

“We’re dynamic. We got big bodies. We got great speed,” Lucas said after the game. “We can get out and get downhill and see if we are going to get a foul or a finish and that’s what we preach.”

The ‘Canes return to the Watsco Center on Saturday at four p.m. to take on Cal.

Makena Wong, Staff Photographer // Freshman guard Dante Allen drives toward the basket while dodging defenders during their game against Stanford on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2026.

The lasting legacy of Katie Meier

Gaby Collazo
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The lasting legacy of Katie Meier

After nearly two decades of shaping University of Miami’s women’s basketball, Katie Meier will be honored Thursday, Jan. 29th, for a legacy built on leadership, loyalty and long lasting relationships. 

For 19 years, Meier shaped what women’s basketball looks like for Miami. Over her years, she led the Hurricanes to 11 seasons with 20 or more wins, guided the team to 13 postseason appearances and has set the all-time record for wins for a basketball coach at Miami with 343 career wins. 

From her time playing at Duke to her professional career overseas in Belgium, Meier consistently has emphasized the importance of education. Even in her final year at Duke, despite battling a knee injury, she extended her academic journey by earning a master’s degree in teaching English at Duke. 

Coaching, however, was not always a part of Meier’s plan. While playing overseas, she knew she only wanted to play basketball.

“I saw how hard it was for the women that were coaching in the era I was playing because of the whole history of Title IX, and it was not close to equal,” said Meier. “It was a frustrating, emotional, and thankless job, so I thought I was too emotional to be that frustrated.” 

Title IX, implemented in 1972, is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or institution receiving federal funding, guaranteeing equal academic and athletic opportunities for all students. However, the full implementation was gradual, resulting in persistent inequalities between men’s and women’s sports for decades. 

That mindset shifted when she was required to coach a youth team twice a week. Although she was hesitant at first, Meier fell in love with coaching.

“It was my favorite thing I did,” said Meier. “I just loved it. Those young kids I coached are still in my life.”

Before concluding the first half down 32-38, Head Coach Katie Meier coaches her team on defense during the narrow loss against FSU. Photo credit: Charisma Jones

After beginning her head coaching career in Charlotte, Meier eventually found her way to the University of Miami. While Miami was not initially at the top of her list, she was drawn in by Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Pat Whitely’s belief in student life and impact of athletics.

“I looked at her during the whole interview thinking ‘please pick me,’ Meier said.

A standout player herself, Meier earned Freshman All-American honors at Duke in 1986 and was named Kodak WBCA District 2 All-American accolades in 1990. She was later inducted into both the Duke and University of Miami Halls of Fame.

Despite her on-court success, Meier says it was not the wins or losses that define her career but the relationships she built along the way.“I lost my father over this past June, and I can not tell you the amount of ex-staff and players that came all the way to Chicago for the funeral,” said Meier. “It was incredible, you feel like you have built a family.”

Even during challenges on and off the court, Meier said Miami’s culture always pushed her forward. “Someone [will] grab you from the back of your neck and yank you up and say, you are a Hurricane, quit crying, and go build a legacy,” she said. 

With a resume that includes coaching 30 professional players, six All-American honorees, six WNBA picks, and an AP National Coach of the Year, Meier insists the accolades were never the goal.

“I was not trying to do anything except build leaders,” she said. 

The honoring of coach Meier is set to take place ahead of Miami’s tipoff against Duke at the Watsco Center at 8 p.m. 

Head coach Katie Meier hugs senior guard Haley Cavinder after she scored a career-high 33 points in Miami’s 86-82 win over Florida State in the Watsco Center on Feb. 9, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Longtime Miami coach Jim Larrañaga honored during Miami-FSU basketball game

Zach Cohen
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Longtime Miami coach Jim Larrañaga honored during Miami-FSU basketball game

Former Miami men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga was immortalized in program history before tipoff against Florida State on Jan. 20, unveiling a banner bearing his name and the years 2011–24.

Prior to Miami, Larrañaga spent 14 years as head coach at George Mason University and said it was not an easy decision to leave, but one that proved rewarding.

“I’ve worked for the university for 15 years, and these are the 15 greatest years of my life,” Larrañaga said in a halftime conversation moderated by WQAM sports broadcaster Joe Zagacki. “That banner represents a heck of a lot of hard work from so many people in our program, coaches and players alike.”

Larrañaga became the oldest coach in the ACC at age 62 when he was named Miami’s head coach April 22, 2011.

“I was 62 years old, and you know what I told the media — I’m just getting started,” Larrañaga said.

April 22, 2011, marked the start of something special. In 13 seasons, Larrañaga led the Hurricanes to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including four trips to the Sweet 16. 

He helped Miami reach the program’s first Elite Eight in 2022 and its first Final Four in 2023. Those accomplishments are only a sliver of his impressive résumé at UM.

Head coach Jim Larrañaga holds the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship Trophy after Miami’s 88-81 win over the University of Texas in the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO on March 26, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

The program recorded five 25-win seasons and eight 20-win seasons during his tenure.

He turned his players into March Madness heroes, fostering a winning atmosphere that allowed them to flourish on college basketball’s biggest stages.

In the 2023 Elite Eight against Texas, Jordan Miller shot 7-for-7 from the field and 13-for-13 from the free-throw line. He finished with 27 points to send Miami to the Final Four. 

In 2022, Kameron McGusty scored 27 points to send the Hurricanes to the Elite Eight. Other notable players included Isaiah Wong, Sam Waardenburg and Nijel Pack.

Most importantly, he brought the Miami Hurricanes community together. In 2017–18, season tickets sold out for the third straight season. During the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, Miami recorded four of the five highest single-game student attendance marks in program history.

In the midst of his 14th season coaching Miami, Larrañaga stepped down Dec. 26, 2024. He credited his decision to the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

“All those players and coaches and the fans that followed us, you deserve all the credit,” Larrañaga said. “That banner represents you as well, and I thank you for that.”

Larrañaga will forever be a Miami Hurricane.

David Lebowitz, Photo Editor/ Coach Jim Larrañaga was honored with a banner in the rafters on January 20, 2026.

‘Red Panda’ set to perform at halftime of Miami-Stanford game

Omar Pinto
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‘Red Panda’ set to perform at halftime of Miami-Stanford game

Rong Niu, better known under her stage name ‘Red Panda’, is set to perform at halftime of the Miami–Stanford basketball game on Jan. 28.

‘Red Panda’ is famous for riding a tall unicycle while balancing plates on her head and foot, all while juggling more plates at the same time. The Chinese-American acrobat has even appeared on television shows such as America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent.

A longtime NBA halftime performer, ‘Red Panda’ has become a fan-favorite for her acrobatic routines and even appears as a halftime act in the NBA 2K video game franchise.

On July 1, 2025, she fell from her seven-foot unicycle during a halftime show of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx. Rui suffered a severe fracture in her left wrist and spent 11 hours in a Minneapolis hospital.

Niu’s injury required surgery, and spent four months recovering from her wrist fracture. She first returned from injury on Oct. 23, 2025 for an Amazon Prime event and has worked her way back to regularly performing across the country at universities and arenas.

To see her performance, make sure to show up to the Watsco Center tonight as the Canes take on the Cardinal.

Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, with the game airing on the ACC Network.

’Canes Science Bowl brings STEM education to more students

Samantha Rodriguez and Christel Aldana
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’Canes Science Bowl brings STEM education to more students

University of Miami student Sabrina Cuba and graduate Albertie Regalado started the ’Canes Science Bowl to build an interest in STEM education in current ’Canes and pre-college education students. 

Adriana Gonzalez and Aaliyah Davis, the new ’Cane Science Bowl presidents, are keeping the  dream alive. They will host the annual spring ’Canes Science Bowl with their fellow club members and student volunteers serving as moderators, scorers and timekeepers on Feb. 7 and Feb. 21.

“Our members not only manage the large-scale academic events, they are also there to mentor and inspire the next generation of scientists,” Gonzalez said.

’Canes Science Bowl hosts volunteer training sessions, science outreach activities and leads STEM activities at Ponce De Leon Middle School and Henry S West Laboratory School throughout the year. Student volunteers can receive up to 40 volunteer hours at ’Canes Science Bowl events.

‘Canes Science Bowl managing the ‘Canes Science Bowl Miami Kids competition on Oct. 23, 2023. Photo Courtesy of ‘Canes Science Bowl.

Gonzalez and Davis create new science learning strategies with the club to develop memorable experiences with STEM education in aspiring scientists. They work to bring high school students to UM to show them the resources and opportunities STEM students have at the college of engineering and arts and sciences. 

Fostering a love for science in young students and connecting UM students’ passion for science into service is a top priority for the ’Canes Science Bowl.

“We want ’Canes Science Bowl to be known not just for hosting science competitions in spring, but for creating lasting educational impact in South Florida,” Davis said.


Create a lasting impact in Coral Gables with the ’Canes Science Bowl by volunteering for their spring competitions. Click here to fill out the volunteer application form. Stay up-to-date on the ’Canes Science Bowl by following their Instagram and joining their GroupMe.

Duke WR Cooper Barkate commits to Miami

Jayden Gonzalez and Sebastian Font
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Duke WR Cooper Barkate commits to Miami

Miami continues to add at the wide receiver position through the portal, securing the commitment of Duke wideout Cooper Barkate.

A 6-foot-1,195-pounder from Newport Beach Calif., Barkate spent three seasons at Harvard before spending his 2025 season as a graduate transfer at Duke, being Miami quarterback Darian Mensah’s go-to receiver.

Last year, he reeled in 72 catches for 1,106 yards for the Blue Devils which included seven touchdowns. Barkate’s yard total only came second in the ACC to Miami’s own Malachi Toney and was good for ninth in the country.

Following his career year, Barkate was named Second Team All-ACC along with Mensah and Duke running back Nate Sheppard.

Barkate and Mensah’s chemistry led to a historic season for Duke under former Miami head coach Manny Diaz. The Blue Devil offense was among the best in college football in 2025, averaging 34.6 points per game and 285.4 passing yards per game.

That success led to a 9-5 campaign capitalized by the programs’s first outright ACC Championship since 1962 in a 27-20 victory over Virginia and a 42-39 Sun Bowl victory over Arizona State.

A sure handed receiver who only dropped six passes on the year, he averaged 15.2 yards per catch, and shined in the intermediate game. That’s because he pairs his smooth routes with impressive YAC ability, turning chain-moving catches into game-changing plays.

His standout games included 13 catches for 172 yards against Georgia Tech, and six catches for 127 yards during a 46-45 shootout versus Clemson.

And in the ACC Championship game against Virginia, Barkate totaled 91 yards on five catches.

Barkate graduated from Harvard in May 2025 with a degree in economics and was pursuing a master’s degree in management studies from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.

The graduate student comes from a family of athletics. Harold Barkate, Cooper’s father, was a three-year letterman as a punter for UCLA. Cooper’s sister, Maddie, lettered for four years and earned All-Ivy League honors as a junior at Harvard.

It’s safe to say Mensah will have plenty of options to air the ball out as Barkate joins incoming transfers Cam Vaughn and Vandrevious Jacobs as Miami’s portal additions, complementing a current wide receiver room of Malachi Toney, Josh Moore and UM’s incoming freshman class.

David Lebowitz, Staff Photographer/ Freshman wide recievers Daylyn Upshaw (15) and Malachi Toney (10) celebrate after a big play on November 8, 2025.

Duke QB Darian Mensah commits to Miami

Sebastian Font
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Duke QB Darian Mensah commits to Miami

Cam Ward, Carson Beck and now Darian Mensah.

Despite the pressure and heartbreak of competing for a national title, the Hurricanes have once again plucked their quarterback from the bunch, hoping to continue the success of the portal quarterback trend.

Mensah, a Duke transfer, announced his commitment on Jan. 27, after entering the portal earlier on Jan. 16 — the last day to enter the portal for teams other than Miami or Indiana.

The Canes originally looked towards portal prospects such as Brendan Sorsby, Sam Leavitt and Ty Simpson, but the trio signed with Texas Tech, LSU and declared for the draft, respectively. 

Miami was left in a dire situation for its 2026 quarterback, prompting a search outside of the box — a quarterback not yet in the portal. It looked bleak for the orange and green, but just like the last two years, an unexpected superstar came calling at the final hour. This time, it was Mensah.

A rising redshirt junior from San Luis Obispo, Calif., Mensah originally played at Tulane before transferring to Duke ahead of the 2025 season.

Mensah lit up the statsheet for the Blue Devils, racking up 3,973 passing yards as he threw for 34 touchdowns on the year, good for second in the FBS for both stats.

He led Duke to its first ACC title in nearly 40 years and was named ACC Championship game MVP for his efforts to accompany his multiple All-ACC honors under former Miami head coach Manny Diaz.

Notable performances include his 361-yard, four-touchdown game against Clemson in a 46-45 shootout, as well as his 327-yard, four-touchdown performance in the Sun Bowl against Arizona State.

Army West Point Black Knights Football team takes on the Tulane Green Wave in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game at Michie Stadium, West Point, New York on December 6, 2024. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)

It was reported before the Sun Bowl that Mensah would be staying with Duke, finishing a multi-year contract worth around $4 million annually. So when the California-native entered the transfer portal at the final hour on Jan.16, it sent Duke scrambling for legal avenues to prevent the move.

Duke was granted a temporary restraining order following Mensah’s entrance into the transfer portal in order to prevent him from enrolling at another university.

“Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, we expect he will do the same,” Duke’s athletics department said in a statement.

However, Mensah’s representatives and Duke were able to reach a settlement regarding his transfer, avoiding court and allowing Mensah to commit and enroll at Miami on Jan. 27.

Combining his stint at Tulane in 2024, Mensah has thrown for 6,696 yards at a 56 touchdown to 12 interception ratio — not to mention a completion percentage over 65 percent in both his seasons as a starter.

Like his predecessors Ward and Beck, Mensah has true draftable talent but still has room to develop. So, when he entered the portal on Jan. 16, Miami became a no-brainer move.

The Canes have a proven record of sending quarterback’s draft stock skyrocketing with an additional year to polish things up at the collegiate level. 

The Hurricanes have everything a quarterback could  dream of: an elite offensive line, impressive offensive weapons, a sizable NIL package and a proven track record of transforming  transfer quarterbacks to the superstar level.

“I want to make the NFL, I want to be a first-round draft pick,” Mensah said. “All signs point towards Miami.”

While the ’Canes have everything for Mensah, what does he bring to Miami?

A 6-foot-3, 208-pound signal-caller, Mensah already has two years of college experience under his belt and flourishes in the intermediate game — able to make pre-snap reads and exploit coverages consistently.

Mensah also has the arm to make all the throws across the field, expanding the playbook downfield and utilizing his receivers talent to the full extent.

He might not be a true “dual-threat” quarterback, but he can certainly use his legs to escape pressure and scramble when needed.

Mensah is an uber-talented quarterback who fits Miami’s scheme perfectly with both the quick game and even trick plays at times. Be ready for the Hurricane offense to reach a whole new level with Mensah in the mix.

The Miami Hurricanes walk out of the tunnel at Hard Rock Stadium before the CFP National Championship game on Jan. 19, 2026. // Photo courtesy of Miami Athletics.
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