Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has made a swift move to Duke, while players from Mississippi State, Wisconsin, and Cal are also considering transfers via the portal.
Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility left, confirmed his transfer to Duke after attending a basketball game. He had an impressive season at Tulane, throwing for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with a completion rate of 65.9%. Mensah guided Tulane to a 9-4 record and a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game, which they lost to Army.
Meanwhile, Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke, and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza have all entered the transfer portal. Van Buren, who started eight games as a true freshman for Mississippi State, threw for 1,886 yards and 16 touchdowns. He took over as the starter due to an injury to Blake Shapen and had notable performances, including a 300-yard game against Georgia.
Mendoza, from Cal, had a solid season in 2024 with 3,004 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and a completion rate of 68.7%. Locke, representing Wisconsin, passed for 1,936 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions this season. Both Mendoza and Locke expressed their intentions to explore new opportunities for their football careers.
These player movements highlight the dynamic nature of college football, with athletes seeking the best opportunities to showcase their talents and further their careers. As the transfer portal continues to shape roster compositions across programs, the landscape of college football remains ever-evolving.
