Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal.
Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal.
Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday.
Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal.
Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season.
Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia.
Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage.
“For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached,” he posted.
Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.
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Army cadets yell as Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah (10) waits for the ball during the second half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in West Point, N.Y. Army won 35-14. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With Drew Lock in a walking boot with a heel injury, the New York Giants may have Tommy DeVito back at quarterback Sunday when they try to break an eight-game losing streak in a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Coach Brian Daboll announced the injury on Wednesday before the Giants (2-11) started preparations for the game against the Ravens (8-5) at MetLife Stadium, where New York is winless in seven games this season.
Lock was hurt this past weekend when the Saints sacked him twice and had 13 quarterbacks hits in a 14-11 loss.
“You always got to be ready for whatever happens,” DeVito said after practice. “Obviously, it’s been a little bit of a crazy situation this whole year with everything that’s gone on. So, there’s almost no surprises at this point. You just got to stay ready. Whoever’s out there, whatever number is going to be out there and ready to be called, we’re going to go out there and support them.”
The quarterback position has been in flux since the Giants benched and then released Daniel Jones on Nov. 22.
DeVito, who sparked the Giants to three wins in 2023 as an undrafted rookie free agent, started against Tampa Bay on Nov. 24. He was 21 of 31 for 189 yards, but he hurt his right forearm late in the 30-7 loss.
The New Jersey product said his arm feels fine and he is not worried about the losing streak.
“I think it’s just continuing just to prove to myself that I belong.” DeVito said. “Just go out and play at the highest level that I believe that I can play at, consistently. Just go out there and try to win football games. That’s what it comes down to.”
Tight end Daniel Bellinger said the biggest adjustment the receivers have to make is getting used to DeVito's cadence.
“I don’t feel like it’s difficult,” added rookie receiver Malik Nabers, who leads the Giants with 80 catches for 819 yards and three touchdowns. “I feel like I’ve caught enough passes from him, I’ve ran enough routes with him. We both know the playbook, so I don’t feel like it’s hard at all. But just another hill you’ve got to climb over.”
Lock started against the Cowboys in a Thanksgiving game loss and again against the Saints in a game where New Orleans blocked a late field-goal attempt by Graham Gano that could have forced overtime.
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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll responds to questions during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Rodriguez)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (50) sacks New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) reacts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
