Quarterback Darian Mensah is officially on the move - and now, there’s nothing standing in his way.
After weeks of legal back-and-forth, Mensah and Duke have reached a settlement that clears the path for the standout quarterback to remain in the transfer portal and continue his journey elsewhere. According to his agency, Young Money APAA Sports, the agreement was the result of “close collaboration and principled negotiation,” ultimately leading to what they’re calling a fair and mutually agreeable resolution.
Translation: the legal dust has settled, and Mensah is free to pursue his next chapter - one that’s widely expected to take him to Miami.
The Hurricanes have been the presumed frontrunner since Mensah entered the portal earlier this month, and sources indicate that Miami remains his likely landing spot. It’s a major development for one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the country - and a big potential win for a Hurricanes program looking to level up in a crowded ACC.
But this transfer wasn’t your typical portal exit. Duke initially tried to block the move, filing a lawsuit that claimed Mensah had a binding two-season agreement with the program through 2026.
A judge even granted a temporary restraining order in Duke’s favor, briefly halting Mensah’s ability to transfer. That legal standoff has now ended with the two sides settling - a rare and high-profile resolution in the world of college football contracts.
In a statement, Duke made it clear they stand by the agreements they make with their student-athletes. “We are committed to fulfilling all promises and obligations Duke makes to our student-athletes when we enter into contractual agreements with them, and we expect the same in return,” the university said.
“Enforcing those agreements is a necessary element of ensuring predictability and structure for athletic programs. It is nonetheless a difficult choice to pursue legal action against a student and teammate; for this reason we sought to resolve the matter fairly and quickly.”
It’s a complicated situation, no doubt - one that touches on the evolving business of college football, where NIL deals, transfer rules, and player contracts are creating new legal territory every year. But for Mensah, the focus now shifts back to football.
And what a season he’s coming off.
After transferring to Duke from Tulane in 2025, Mensah made an immediate impact. He threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns, earning All-ACC honors and leading the Blue Devils to a conference championship - a season that firmly established him as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. His agency called that ACC title a chapter in Duke’s history that Mensah is “proud to have been part of.”
Now, he’s poised to take his talents to South Florida, where the Hurricanes could be getting a game-changer under center. If he brings even a fraction of the production he delivered at Duke, Miami fans have plenty to be excited about.
This story may have started in the courtroom, but it’s about to continue on the field - and that’s where Darian Mensah does his best work.