Lawrence Gardner Or Dan Mahan Going To Be Duke, Head Coach Manny Diaz Starting Quarterback In 2026 Season Following Darian Mensah Entering His Name Into Transfer Portal ?
Originally on Friday December 19, 2025 Darian Mensah announced he was returning to Duke for his junior season in 2026!
That is no longer the case as landscape in college athletics today allows players to enter their name into transfer portal
Darian Mensah who is a quarterback is entering his name into transfer portal following playing sophomore season for Duke, Head Coach Manny Diaz following transferring to Duke from Tulane where he played two seasons.
Following entering his name into transfer portal Friday Darian Mensah shared his thoughts on entering his name into transfer portal by saying This wasn't an easy decision, but after talking with my family, I believe it's in my best interest to enter the transfer portal,"
Accoding to Max Olson article on ESPN https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47633503/duke-qb-darian-mensah-changes-mind-eyes-portal-sources-say
As a sophomore playing for Duke, Head Coach Manny Diaz Darian Mensah threw for 3,973 yards , 34 touchdowns helped Duke win Atlantic Coast Conference Championship defeating 16th ranked Virginia 27-20 in overtime on Saturday December 6, 2025 in Charlotte as well as Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Wednesday December 31, 2025 by a score of 42-39.
With Darian Mensah entering his name into transfer portal it has put Duke, Head Coach Manny Diaz in a dire situation at quarterback position and has me asking this question Lawrence Gardner or Dan Mahan going to be starting quarterback in 2026 as Manny Diaz option Lawrence Gardner in 2025 season was a freshman. Dan Mahan who like Lawrence Gardner was a freshman in 2025.
Before arriving at Duke Lawrence Gardner played for St. Mark’s School of Texas under head coach Harry Flaherty where as a senior threw for 2,314 yards and 24 TDs ... rushed for 593 yards with 11 TDs … following final campaign, earned the program's MVP award, the Tony Briggs Spirit Award and All-Southwest Preparatory Conference honors ...
Before arriving at Duke Dan Mahan Lettered four seasons at Walter M. Williams under head coach Patrick Stokes ... rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com ... listed as the No. 9 dual threat quarterback nationally by Rivals.com ... charted as the No. 9 prospect in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.com and the No. 24 prospect by 247Sports.com ... following senior season, selected to represent North Carolina in the 2024 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas ... three-time all-conference honoree and 2023 conference player of the year ... capped career throwing for 2,528 yards and 33 TDs to go along with 988 rushing yards and nine ground TDs ... as a junior, his first full season as a quarterback, threw for 1,776 yards and 18 TDs while rushing for 323 yards and seven scores ... during sophomore year, primarily played wide receiver and caught 35 passes for 440 yards and five TDs while gaining an additional 213 yards rushing and four TDs ... as a reserve quarterback, threw for 342 yards ... earned three additional varsity letters as a member of the baseball team, receiving all-conference accolades all three years.
According to https://goduke.com/sports/football/roster/lawrence-gardner/24413
https://goduke.com/sports/football/roster/dan-mahan/24427