The college football offseason is heating up-and not because of spring workouts. For the second time in just a few weeks, a star quarterback’s transfer plans have sparked legal drama. This time, it’s Duke’s Darian Mensah at the center of the storm.
Mensah, who helped lead the Blue Devils to an ACC title and earned second-team All-ACC honors this past season, is now facing a lawsuit from Duke University after announcing his intent to enter the transfer portal. The move caught many by surprise, especially since Mensah had previously committed to returning to Duke for the 2026 season and was under contract with the program.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it’s so significant, and what it means for both Mensah and Duke moving forward.
The Timeline: From Commitment to Controversy
Back in December, Mensah publicly committed to returning to Duke for the 2026 season. At the time, it looked like the Blue Devils were set to run it back with one of the top returning quarterbacks in the country. But that changed on January 16-the final day for FBS players to enter the transfer portal-when Mensah informed Duke of his intention to transfer.
He made it official on social media, thanking the university and its coaching staff, and calling it a difficult decision made after talking with his family. “I believe it’s in my best interest to enter the transfer portal,” he wrote.
That’s when things got complicated.
The NIL Contract at the Heart of the Dispute
Mensah’s situation isn’t just about a player deciding to leave one school for another. It’s about a contract-specifically, a two-year revenue-sharing NIL deal he signed with Duke after arriving from Tulane in 2024. The deal is reportedly worth more than $4 million per year, and it appears to give Duke certain exclusive rights over Mensah’s name, image, and likeness.
Here’s where it gets murky: The contract predates the latest wave of NIL regulations and revenue-sharing models in college football. That means there’s not a lot of precedent for what happens when a player under such a deal tries to leave.
Can a school block the transfer? Can another program buy out the NIL rights?
Is the player stuck, or can he negotiate a buyout himself?
These are the questions Duke is now trying to answer in court.
Duke’s Legal Action
On January 20, Duke filed a lawsuit against Mensah in an attempt to prevent him from transferring. According to the suit, the university is seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a preliminary injunction that would block Mensah from:
- Entering the transfer portal
- Enrolling at another school
- Playing football at another school
- Licensing his NIL to another school
Essentially, Duke is trying to freeze Mensah’s options and keep him tied to the program through the terms of his NIL deal. The school argues that the contract gives it “a number of rights” that Mensah is violating by attempting to leave.
This isn’t just about keeping a star quarterback-it’s also about setting a precedent in the evolving NIL landscape. And Duke’s not the only one watching closely.
What’s Next for Mensah?
While Miami has emerged as an early favorite to land Mensah, nothing is official-and now, with a lawsuit in play, everything is on hold. The legal battle could take time, and depending on how the courts rule, it may reshape how NIL contracts are enforced in the future.
Mensah, whose NIL valuation is estimated at around $1.9 million, has publicly acknowledged the financial impact of his move to Duke. Back in June 2025, he said, “I knew this move would set my family up for financial freedom. Obviously the NIL component was pretty important, but it wasn’t the primary focus.”
That quote now carries a bit more weight, given the current standoff.
The Bigger Picture
This is the second high-profile case this offseason involving a quarterback attempting to transfer despite contractual obligations. Just weeks ago, Demond Williams made headlines for trying to leave Washington under similar circumstances.
Both situations highlight the growing pains of college football’s new era-where players are empowered like never before, but schools are also looking to protect their investments. The NIL landscape is still being defined in real time, and cases like Mensah’s are going to shape the rules moving forward.
For Duke, this is about more than just losing a quarterback. Backup Henry Belin IV already transferred to Missouri State, and while the Blue Devils did bring in Ari Patu from North Alabama, the depth chart is suddenly thin. Losing Mensah would leave a major void-not just on the field, but in the locker room and the program’s broader trajectory.
For Mensah, the road ahead is uncertain. Whether he stays at Duke, negotiates a buyout, or ends up sitting out while the legal process unfolds, his next move will be watched closely by players, programs, and legal teams across the country.
One thing’s clear: this isn’t your typical offseason transfer story. This is a test case for the future of NIL in college football-and it’s only just beginning.