Week 1 of the 2025 season had folks double-checking the box score when Duke’s brand-new quarterback, Darian Mensah , lit Elon on fire. He put up video game numbers like 27 of 34, 389 yards, 3 touchdowns with no picks. The second half? Flawless, 11-for-11, turning a 17–17 tie into a 45–17 Blue Devils beatdown. That’s the second-most passing yards ever by a Duke QB in a debut and the first 300-yard opener in 15 years. But behind the arm talent and NIL headlines, there’s a story rooted in family. One name keeps coming up: Naomi-Brebes Mensah.

Darian’s rise wasn’t overnight. After making noise at Tulane in 2024, he hit the transfer portal and Duke backed up the NIL truck with a deal reportedly worth $4 million a year. He’s now one of the most highly paid players in college football, but he

See Full Page