We’re only two weeks into the 2026 college football season, and already Miami Hurricanes redshirt junior Darian Mensah is lighting up the scoreboard in a way that has analysts like Brady Quinn absolutely hyped, especially with his eight touchdowns to a mere four incompletions. That kind of efficiency is just wild, no matter who you’re playing against, and Quinn straight up said, “It’s tough to do that in a live game scenario.”
Mensah’s Mind-Blowing Numbers and Heisman Hype
Mensah has been on an absolute tear through Miami’s first two games this season, throwing for 653 yards and a staggering eight touchdowns. His passer rating is a ridiculous 271.7, and he’s completing 91.1% of his passes. Think about that for a second. He’s been so good, he even got to chill on the sidelines during the second half of both games because Miami had such overwhelming leads. This dude might just have the best connection in college football with star wide receiver Malachi Toney. Last season, Mensah absolutely dominated the ACC, leading the league in both passing yards (3,973) and passing touchdowns (34) for the Duke Blue Devils, all while throwing only six interceptions. He’s a mover too, this is his third team in three seasons, going from Tulane (2023-24) to Duke (2025) and now Miami. Quinn is telling everyone, “Keep watching Darian Mensah as he keeps making a case for the 2026 Heisman Trophy Award.” You better believe we will be.
Jayden Maiava’s Surgical Precision
On the other side of the country, USC redshirt junior Jayden Maiava is also making a huge impression, with “Big Noon Kickoff” analyst Matt Leinart singing his praises. Leinart highlighted how Maiava “doesn’t miss a lot of throws” and emphasized that “great quarterbacks lift the play of those around them.” Through USC’s first two games this season, Maiava has piled up 635 passing yards and five touchdowns, with zero interceptions. His completion percentage is nearly perfect at 88.9% and his passer rating sits at 218.2. Last season, he led the Big Ten with 3,711 passing yards and tossed 24 touchdowns, plus he added six rushing scores. Maiava also transferred, starting his collegiate career with UNLV (2022-23) before heading to USC ahead of the 2024 season and becoming the starter in 2025.
Leinart noted that Maiava “hasn’t played anybody” yet, and his schedule doesn’t get much harder for the next two weeks. But get ready for the showdown against Oregon. That game could be an absolute “game-changing game for him,” according to Leinart. We’re keeping our eyes peeled for that one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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