$8 million Tulane transfer said to have ‘much different challenge’ ahead at Duke | Sporting News

Darian Mensah is under the microscope at Duke after Manny Diaz threw big money at the Tulane transfer $8 million over two years , to be exact to maintain an elite standard in Durham.

That standard started under Mike Elko and continued in Diazs debut season with the Blue Devils in 2024.

247 Sports Brad Crawford believes Mensahs status as the highest-paid Group of Five transfer ever makes the challenge the 2025 season presents an even greater one.

Upon signing a record-setting NIL deal as a Group of Five transfer, there's a certain level of high-end expectations that come with it.

Duke reportedly spared no expense with the addition of Tulane's Darian Mensah this offseason by making him one of the highest-paid players in college football history.

Mensah's talent is evident after throwing for 2,723 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions as a redshirt freshman last season for the AAC runner-up, but playing in the ACC is a much different challenge, Crawford wrote.

Mensah is already rising to the occasion off the field.

Dukes new starting signal-caller set up a fund for single mothers affected by the California wildfires through the Single Moms Planet .

He did it to honor his mother, as he explained.

My mom did everything in her power to keep us in the gamewhether it was finding ways to afford gear, driving us to practices, or leaning on the community for support, said Mensah, per SI .

Without her resilience and the people who stepped up to help us, I wouldnt be where I am today.

Thats why Im committed to giving back and standing with Single Moms Planet to support the women who are doing the same for their kids.

Mensah is making sure hes not the only one benefiting from his name, image, and likeness.

Already, hes been a good investment.

If that can translate to the field, Diaz will have made one of his greatest chess moves as Dukes headman at Tulanes expense..

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