By Ty Scheiner
Tulane’s Green Wave has just found their new QB, and it’s a story you didn’t see coming. Darian Mensah, a redshirt freshman who wasn’t heavily recruited, started the season as the third-string QB and spent most of last year on the scout team. But after an impressive performance against 17th-ranked Kansas State, it’s clear that Tulane and highly-touted head coach Jon Sumrall might have struck gold.
From Scout Team to Spotlight
Mensah was buried third on the depth chart behind Ty Thompson and Kai Horton in preseason camp. He had limited opportunities, mostly just practicing or participating in scout team drills. His path to the starting role wasn’t paved with recruiting hype or early success—he was seen more as a long-term project. But when his chance came, he seized it. In Week 1, Mensah had a solid debut against Southeastern Louisiana, going 10-12 with 205 yards, 2 TDs, and 14 yards on the ground in a 52-0 win.
A Breakout Performance Against Kansas State
Last weekend, Mensah truly put himself on the map during Tulane’s clash with 17th-ranked Kansas State. In only his second start, he showcased poise, maturity, and confidence far beyond his years. Even ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick had high praise for Mensah prior to the K-State game, comparing him to NFL starting QB Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers. For a young QB, Mensah was genuinely impressive.
https://twitter.com/LRiddickESPN/status/1832154145698218095
He displayed a calm and collected demeanor that Tulane fans remember from former QB Michael Pratt. Despite the Wildcats’ defense putting pressure on him, Mensah stood strong, making key throws at crucial moments. His stat line was impressive: 342 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception—which earned him a spot on the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Weekly Honor Roll. Although not perfect, his performance demonstrated that Tulane might have something special in Mensah.
While there were a few rookie mistakes, including a fumble that Kansas State capitalized on, the overall takeaway is that Mensah is much further along in his development than anyone expected. His maturity, both on and off the field, has already earned him the trust of his coaches and teammates.
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A Bright Future for Tulane Football
The future looks bright for Tulane. With a young QB showing early signs of greatness, the Green Wave are poised to be competitive not just in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) but also on a national level as one of the top Group of Five (G5) teams.
While his breakout game against Kansas State was impressive, there’s still a long road ahead. As with any young player, there will be growing pains and moments where inexperience shows. But the big question for the season is whether the Green Wave can win the AAC and compete for a G5 Playoff spot. Watching Mensah grow and build on his early success will be exciting.
