Darian Mensah lit up the ACC this past season, and now he’s lighting up the college football headlines.
The sophomore quarterback was the engine behind Duke’s breakout campaign, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns while tossing just six interceptions. He led the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC title since 1962 - a historic run that made it clear: Mensah isn’t just good, he’s program-changing.
But just as Duke fans were starting to dream about a repeat, Mensah made a move that shook the college football landscape. He entered the transfer portal - and not just casually. He slipped in right before the Jan. 16 deadline, giving the Blue Devils little time to react.
Now, things are getting complicated off the field.
Duke believes Mensah’s decision to enter the portal breaches the NIL deal he signed with the university back in July 2024 - a deal reportedly worth $4 million. In response, the school has taken legal action, filing a lawsuit to enforce the terms of that contract.
As of now, Mensah is officially in the transfer portal. But there’s a catch: he can’t enroll at or play for another school until a North Carolina judge rules on Duke’s request for an injunction.
That hearing is set for Feb. 2 in Durham County Superior Court. Mensah’s legal team is hoping to move that date up, but unless that happens, everything’s on hold.
Duke issued a statement underscoring its position: "Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, and we expect he will do the same.
The court-ordered temporary restraining order (TRO) issued yesterday ensures he does not violate his contract. The university is committed to supporting all of our student-athletes, while expecting each of them to abide by their contractual obligations."
So where does Mensah want to go, if the legal dust settles in his favor? According to reports, Miami is the preferred destination. The Hurricanes are looking for a new QB after Carson Beck’s departure, and Mensah would be a high-octane replacement - a dual-threat playmaker who just led an ACC team to the top of the mountain.
From Duke’s perspective, it’s easy to understand the urgency. Mensah isn’t just another player.
He’s the kind of quarterback you build around - the kind that doesn’t come around often. Losing him would be a massive blow, especially after such a landmark season.
For now, the college football world waits. The portal saga continues, and all eyes are on Durham, where a courtroom - not a football field - will decide the next chapter in Darian Mensah’s career.