The Duke football program got some really bad news on Friday — the deadline day for players to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Duke star quarterback Darian Mensah plans to enter the portal, he confirmed via X on Friday afternoon:

Mensah had previously announced on Dec. 19 that he would be returning to Duke for his redshirt junior season in 2026 instead of entering the NFL Draft this spring.

This season, Mensah completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He led the ACC in both passing yards and passing touchdowns while helping the Blue Devils win the 2025 ACC Championship. He also ranks second nationally in passing yards and tied for second in passing touchdowns.

Mensah earned ACC Championship Game MVP honors and was named the AP ACC Newcomer Transfer of the Year, as well as a second-team All-ACC selection.

Mensah joined the Duke program following two years at Tulane from 2023-24. He was touted as the No. 3 overall player in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings last offseason.

A former two- and three-star prospect from California according to various recruiting services, Mensah had a breakout 2024 campaign after redshirting in 2023.

Heading into the 2024 season, the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder was slated to be a third-string QB before emerging as the starter for Tulane. He completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions while leading Tulane to a 9-4 record and appearance in the American Conference Championship Game.

Duke, which defeated Clemson 46-45 at Memorial Stadium this season, is scheduled to play the Tigers in Durham next season.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Friday that Miami “looms as the early favorite” to land Mensah.