Duke quarterback Darian Mensah is officially on the move.
On Friday, Mensah announced he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal, capping off a standout stint with the Blue Devils that saw him rise to national prominence. In a message posted to social media, Mensah thanked the Duke program and its fans, calling the decision “not easy,” but one he made after thoughtful conversations with his family.
The timing of the announcement is significant-Friday was the final day for players not involved in the national championship game to enter the portal. And with Mensah’s name now officially in the mix, one of college football’s most dynamic quarterbacks is suddenly up for grabs.
Mensah’s impact at Duke was immediate and undeniable. After transferring in from Tulane, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound signal-caller took the ACC by storm.
In his first season with the Blue Devils, he threw for 3,973 yards-second-most in the FBS-and racked up 34 touchdowns with a completion rate just shy of 67 percent. That performance earned him All-ACC honors and helped lead Duke to a conference title in 2025.
But Mensah’s departure isn’t just about stats or accolades-it also comes with a unique NIL wrinkle. He’s currently in the second year of a $4 million NIL deal tied directly to Duke.
According to the school’s understanding of the agreement, Duke holds exclusive rights to the deal and is the only entity that can cancel it. That means Mensah’s access to the revenue-share portion of the contract remains tethered to the Blue Devils unless the school opts to terminate it.
It’s a rare and complicated scenario, one that underscores just how much the college football landscape has changed in the NIL era. For now, Mensah remains under contract with Duke in that regard, even as he explores his next playing destination.
And there will be no shortage of suitors. Since the transfer window opened on January 2, several programs have already been aggressive in reshaping their quarterback rooms. Miami, Tennessee, and Ole Miss are among the teams with potential openings under center-and according to reports, the Hurricanes are emerging as early favorites to land Mensah.
Wherever he ends up, Mensah brings a proven track record, elite production, and big-game experience. He’s the kind of player who can change the trajectory of a program overnight. And now that he’s officially on the market, the quarterback carousel just got a lot more interesting.