6 p.m. UM updates: More Mensah news; Cooper thanks Canes; tight ends coach leaves
The Miami Hurricanes’ offseason is in full swing.
That means constant transfer portal updates and other news surfacing over the next few days.
The Miami Herald will have a daily live blog rounding up the news as it comes.
Here’s the latest:
Markel Bell officially declares for draft
Offensive lineman Markel Bell, who spent the past two seasons at Miami after starting his career at the junior college level, is going pro.
He announced his decision on social media Wednesday night.
Bell started every game at left tackle this season for Miami and played in 12 games with five starts in 2024 for Miami.
Emory Williams has landing spot
Former Hurricanes backup quarterback, as expected, is signing with East Carolina, according to 247Sports.
Williams, who has been a backup for UM all three seasons, entered the portal on Tuesday will now have a chance to get steady playing time.
Bryant departs
Edge player Malik Bryant became the eighth Canes player to enter the transfer portal since Monday’s championship game, according to On3.com.
Bryant, as a sophomore in 2024, has 17 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. But he battled an injury this season and played only 25 defensive snaps over two games.
Anez Cooper thanks UM
Offensive lineman Anez Cooper, who started 46 career games at right guard over four years for the Hurricanes, penned a letter thanking the Hurricanes while formally declaring for the NFL Draft.
Cooper was out of collegiate eligibility, so the declaring was just that — a formality.
“The past four years at The U have been the best years of my life,” Cooper wrote in the letter, which he posted to his Instagram account. “I’m proud to say that I was a Miami MF Hurricane.”
Cooper is one of several starting offensive linemen departing UM this season. He and center James Brockermeyer are out of eligibility. Right tackle Francis Mauigoa, a junior, is a projected first-round pick. And left tackle Markel Bell accepted a Senior Bowl invitation, pointing to his departure as well.
11:30 a.m. Mensah update
A day after Duke filed a lawsuit to attempt to prevent star quarterback Darian Mensah from transferring to Miami or anywhere, the Blue Devils made clear on Wednesday that the school has no intention of permitting him to leave.
Mensah intends to join the Hurricanes if he receives legal clearance to do so, a source said. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for Feb. 2 in Durham County Supreme Court.
“Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, and we expect he will do the same,” Duke said in a statement. “The court ordered temporary restraining order issued [Tuesday] ensures he does not violate his contract. The university is committed to supporting all of our student-athletes, while expecting each of them to avide by their contractual obligations.”
That restraining order does indeed prevent Mensah from joining another school’s football program for now.
But Mensah’s attorney, Darren Heitner, said the court ruling on Monday also required Duke to abide by Mensah’s request to enter the portal. Players who wish to transfer cannot enter the portal on their own; schools must do that procedurally and are required to do so within 48 hours after receiving the request from a player. But according to Heitner, Duke would be violating a court order if it doesn’t place him in the portal on Wednesday.
But the judge has not authorized Mensah to play football for another school. A hearing on that matter will be held on Feb. 2.
The case was transferred to a new Durham Superior Court judge after it was learned that the original judge owns Duke basketball season tickets and has a spouse who works in the Duke library.
According to a source, Mensah does not wish to remain at Duke and would like to transfer to UM.
There is no legal precedent to prevent a player with an NIL deal with one school from transferring to another school. But this case will test Mensah’s attempts to do just that.
Tight ends coach departing
Hurricanes tight ends coach Cody Woodiel is leaving Miami to be the tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator at Ole Miss, according to 247Sports.
Woodiel has been Miami’s tight ends coach since 2023.
Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl invites
Four Hurricanes players accepted Senior Bowl invites on Wednesday: Edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. plus offensive lineman Markel Bell and defensive back Keionte Scott.
Meanwhile, three Hurricanes are participating in the East-West Shrine Bowl: Offensive lineman Anez Cooper, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and defensive tackle David Blay Jr.
Transfer portal roundup
News of seven Hurricanes players’ plans to enter the transfer portal surfaced Tuesday: quarterback Emory Williams; reserve linebacker Bobby Washington; backup offensive linemen Deryc Plazz, Nino Francavilla and Tommy Kinsler IV; backup defensive lineman Artavius Jones; and freshman defensive back Amari Wallace.
Hurricanes players have until Saturday to enter the portal.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 11:24 AM.
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