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Duke football is rolling with a motivated newcomer behind center. Darian Mensah is bringing a “chip on his shoulder” to Durham. That “chip” became molded in his hometown on California's Central Coast.
Mensah delivered the bold decision to leave Tulane during the offseason. He entered the college football transfer portal and jumped to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). All by leaving the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
The new Blue Devils QB even comes with a massive $8 million NIL deal. But money isn't his motivating factor in going from New Orleans to Durham.
Two cities in California are fueling him ahead of his Duke debut: San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria, two towns with less than 200,000 inhabitants combined.
2 California cities gives Duke QB Darian Mensah his ‘chip'
Mensah spoke about his home arena of California's 805 region during his Zoom with reporters Tuesday. He's making a massive adjustment here — going from a smaller CA realm to the ACC rigors.
But he knows he's got a home fan base backing him outside of Durham.
“It means everything to me (to inspire back home). That's why I have a huge chip on my shoulder,” Mensah began. “I feel like the 805 area is extremely under-recruited. Especially in Santa Maria. We've got some studs out there.”
He started his prep career for San Luis Obispo High. But Mensah slowly surfaced on the college football radar for St. Joseph High in Santa Maria. The same high school that produced Jacksonville Jaguars legend Mark Brunell.
The ex-Jags QB created a huge following in Santa Maria. But larger metropolitan regions in California — Los Angeles, Orange County, Fresno, the Bay Area — annually pump out more CFB talent. The Northern 805 rarely witnesses talent move on to the ACC.
Now Mensah has learned younger kids in his homeland are following his example. As the next 805 talent to take on the national stage.
“It means everything because I want to go out and be that example everyday,” Mensah said. “And that's something I think about on a daily basis. Blessed to be in this position.”
Mensah landed on two major national lists before throwing for Manny Diaz in a live game. He's among the 25 most intriguing QBs this season by Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde. And he made the Davey O'Brien Award watch list on Aug. 7. Which honors the nation's best QB.
