Mensah Named to Davey O’Brien Preseason Watch List

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami quarterback Darian Mensah was named to the 2026 Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List, the Davey O’Brien Foundation announced Thursday.

Mensah is one of 30 quarterbacks selected to the preseason list for the award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top college quarterback.

The San Luis Obispo, Calif., native enters his first season with the Hurricanes following a standout 2025 campaign in which he started all 14 games and led the ACC with 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns. Mensah earned second-team All-ACC honors last season and was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien, while also capturing MVP honors in both the ACC Championship Game and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.

The Davey O’Brien Foundation will unveil its official Midseason Watch List on Nov. 3 before announcing the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2026 on Nov. 10.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 17, followed by the three finalists on Nov. 24. The 2026 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be revealed Dec. 11 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

Miami has produced three Davey O’Brien Award winners in program history with 1986’s Vinny Testaverde, Gino Torretta in 1992 and Cam Ward in 2024.

Miami opens the 2026 season Sept. 4 at Stanford. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.