Duke University is taking legal action against quarterback Darian Mensah to keep him on the Blue Devils’ football team. The lawsuit, filed this Tuesday, centers around his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month.
Mensah joined Duke last season after transferring from Tulane. Despite his promising stint with the Blue Devils, he recently expressed a desire to explore new opportunities.
The lawsuit outlines that Duke University and Mensah entered a multi-year contract in July 2025, lasting until December 2026. This contract grants Duke exclusive rights to Mensah’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) related to football and education. Duke maintains that they have fulfilled all obligations under this agreement, while Mensah had reaffirmed his commitment to the university just before deciding to transfer.
In a surprising turn, Mensah confirmed he would return to Duke as recently as December 19. During his time with the Blue Devils, he showcased impressive stats—completing 66.8% of his passes for nearly 4,000 yards, 34 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. He also contributed with a rushing touchdown, helping Duke achieve a significant 9-4 record and win the ACC title for the first time since 1989.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Mensah expressed gratitude for Duke and its coaching staff but stated that after family discussions, he believed entering the transfer portal was the best choice for him.
According to sports analyst Ross Dellenger, Mensah’s contract with Duke earns him $4 million annually, and the agreement restricts any other school from using his NIL. If he wants to profit from NIL at a new school, he will need to address this legal issue first.
Given the current landscape in college football, Miami is emerging as a potential new home for Mensah since their starting quarterback, Carson Beck, will be out of eligibility after this season. The movements of players through the transfer portal and NIL deals are reshaping college sports, making this situation reflective of broader changes in the NCAA landscape.
Ultimately, how this lawsuit will unfold remains to be seen, but it highlights the complex interplay between athletes, contracts, and their ambitions in collegiate sports.
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Darian Mensah (23 – St Joseph)
