Darian Mensah posting better numbers than Carson Beck, Cam Ward

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Miami's Darian Mensah posting better numbers than Carson Beck, Cam Ward

By Alan Rubenstein | Last updated Oct 31, 2026 12:16 AM ET

Darian Mensah is exceeding the numbers posted by his predecessors at quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes, Cam Ward and Carson Beck.

Ward was a 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist and the 2025 NFL Draft first overall pick, and Beck led Miami to the College Football Playoff Championship Game after the 2025 season.

Mensah is first nationally in completion percentage and on pace to set the national record, completing 81.4 percent of his pass attempts. He also leads the country with a 204.55 passer rating.

Ward completed 67.2 percent of his pass attempts and had a 172.2 passer rating in 2024. Beck completed 72.4 percent of his 2025 pass attempts with a 157.0 passer rating.

Miami fan Canes Chief posted comparisons on X of Mensah to Beck and Ward, as well as LSU Heisman Trophy winners Joe Burrow in 2019 and Jayden Daniels in 2023. Mensah leads in completion percentage with fewer interceptions than Burrow and Daniels through the first seven games.

Mensah is averaging 307.3 passing yards per game and 10.5 yards per attempt with 22 touchdowns and one interception. If Miami makes another deep playoff run, Mensah should challenge multiple single-season passing records Ward set in 2024.

Sometimes folks forget recent history.

Mensah is on a historic pace not only compared to Miami QBs but also comparing him to Burrow and Daniels.

Burrow (2019): 2,484 YDS | 29 TD | 3 INT | 79.4%
Daniels (2023): 2,294 YDS | 22 TD | 3 INT | 73.1%
Mensah (2026): 2,151… pic.twitter.com/KBScRsCI0P
— Jason (@Canes_Chief) October 28, 2026

Darian Mensah's Heisman Trophy candidacy

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the consensus favorite in the Heisman Trophy odds. Mensah is second, with Miami WR Malachi Toney third. Ohio State is without starting QB Julian Sayin indefinitely. How Smith performs with Sayin out will significantly impact the Heisman Trophy race.

Mensah is having a generational season. Davey O'Brien of TCU in 1938, Charlie Ward of Florida State in 1993, Marcus Mariota of Oregon in 2014 and Daniels share the record for fewest interceptions by a Heisman Trophy Winner with four. If Mensah wins the Heisman Trophy, he is on pace to break that record in addition to the national completion percentage record.

Alan Rubenstein

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