Nov 22, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) throws a pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. USA TODAY Sports

Miami Identifies Its Annual Mercenary QB

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated Jan 17, 2026 7:01 AM ET

Every program and head coach has different transfer portal recruiting tactics. And most times, it depends on the cash flow they have available. Some must pace themselves and shop in the bargain bin, while others continuously swing for the fences.

Miami fits the “swing for the fences” category and has proved it again with the rumors that surfaced on Friday.

These rumors immediately began when Duke quarterback Darian Mensah surprisingly entered the transfer portal on the last day of the open window. This came out of left field for many, but when people began to dive a little deeper it suddenly made sense. And it made sense because Miami still needed a transfer quarterback and the available market had already thinned out greatly.

Nov 22, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) throws a pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first quarter at Lane Stadium.

So, Mensah enters the transfer portal unexpectedly and immediately becomes the top available quarterback while Miami is looking for a quarterback to replace Carson Beck next season. The math adds up.

And it adds up, because Miami has successfully signed one-season mercenary quarterbacks in the last two years. First it was Cam Ward and now it is Beck. And it has obviously worked, with the Canes going 23-5 over this time and most importantly, playing in the National Championship game on Monday night.

There really isn’t any reason to take the moral high ground on this matter if you’re not affiliated with Miami. Is this technically tampering? Obviously, it is. Is Miami the only school in the country to be doing it? Obviously, they’re not. In fact, if your favorite program isn’t tampering in 2026, then they are woefully underperforming in the transfer portal.

There are already rumors of the luxurious package that Miami has supposedly offered Mensah. And if even half of these rumors are true, then you’d be hard pressed to find many players who wouldn’t have accepted it.

Miami is playing the game, on and off the field, and winning at it right now. And if your favorite program had the funds that the Canes possess, they’d very likely be doing the same thing.

With this said, Miami will deny any wrongdoing, as they must. But that’s also just part of the necessary script.

Welcome to college football in 2026.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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