CORAL GABLES, FL: Miami quarterback Darian Mensah warms up prior to the Miami Hurricanes playing their spring game on April 18, 2026, at Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
As has often been the case during this era of the transfer portal, when a quarterback follows a coach to a new school others are right behind. There were a few instances during what is now the lone portal window (January 2-16) that saw the quarterback’s top receiver, or receivers, make the move as well. Here is a look at such QB/WR package duos.
At least when it came to making their intentions public, several players, including a couple of receivers, were on board with following coach Alex Golesh from USF to Auburn before Brown announced his decision, which was not until the fifth day the transfer window was open. Others committed a couple of days after Brown, including Keshaun Singleton, the Bulls’ leading receiver (50-877-8) in 2025.
Four of USF’s top five receivers made their way to the Plains as well as the Bulls’ leading running back, Nykahi Davenport. Hence, Brown is surrounded by many familiar playmakers who helped him become the 12th player in FBS history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.
Jeremiah Koger, who had a very impressive (38-597-8) campaign as a true freshman, Chas Nimrod (23-466-3) and Christian Neptune (38-335-1) are other receivers who made the move from Tampa. Nimrod, who was averaging more than 20 yards per catch when his season was cut short due to a leg injury, began his career at Tennessee when Golesh was Josh Heupel’s offensive coordinator.
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Jonathan Echols, whose three touchdown catches were tops among USF tight ends, also made the move.
Barkate was a top-shelf performer in the Ivy League who had no problem duplicating his effort in the ACC. He was 72-1,106-7 in his lone season at Duke after transferring from Harvard where he had more than 1,000 yards receiving in 2024. In fact, Barkate (79.0) and the Hurricanes’ Malakhi Toney (75.7) ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the ACC in receiving yards per game in 2025. Mensah has both to target.
Like Barkate, Mensah is with his third school in as many years having begun his career at Tulane where he spent two seasons before transferring to Duke. He led the Blue Devils, ironically coached by former Miami sideline boss Manny Diaz, to the ACC title and a Sun Bowl win. He threw for 3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns and only six interceptions 500 attempts. Mensah’s decision to transfer to Miami did not come without legal ramifications resulting from an NIL deal during his time at Duke, a pact that was a reported two years and $8 million with an opportunity to earn $10 million.
Mestemaker was fourth nationally in pass efficiency last season at North Texas, led the nation in passing yards per game (313) game and tied for second (34, with Mensah) in touchdown passes. A major reason for his success as a redshirt freshman was that of his top target, Wyatt Young, whose sophomore season produced 70-1,264-10.
The quarterback and receiver helped the Mean Green pile up a nation’s-leading 45.1 points per game in 2025 and No. 24 ranking in the final AP poll. When Mestemaker opted to follow coach Eric Morris in making the 220-mile trek to Stillwater, where the QB has a $7.5 million deal, Young was right behind.
Several others also took the trail north out of Denton, including the Mean Green’s third-leading receiver (47-550-2) a year ago, Miles Coleman. Electric running back Caleb Hawkins, the nation’s leader in rushing touchdowns (25) and sixth in rushing yards per game (110), also made the move and should greatly assist in restoring a high-powered look to the Cowboys’ offense.
There was not much separating Iowa State’s top three receivers last season. Eighty yards, to be exact. The trio made their way to Happy Valley where they will continue to fuel a Rocco Becht-led offense.
Brahmer (37-446-6) led the way in receptions and touchdown catches at Iowa State last season. Wideout Brett Eskildsen (30-526-5) led in yardage with Chase Sowell (32-500-2) right behind. The Cyclones’ fourth-leading receiver was tight end Gabe Burkle (26-302-1), who also followed Becht and coach Matt Campbell to Penn State. Burkle and Brahmer make for an impressive tight end duo that combined to catch 63 passes last season.
Becht was a three-year starter at Iowa State, throwing for 9,274 yards and 64 TDs while also rushing for 19 scores. Speaking of rushing, the Cyclones leading rusher in 2025, Carsen Hansen, will be yet another familiar face in the Penn State huddle.
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