Duke quarterback Darian Mensah will remain in transfer portal limbo while awaiting a courtroom decision.
He is allowed to enter the portal but can’t enroll at or play for another school until a North Carolina judge rules on Duke’s request for an injunction that would stop him from leaving the Blue Devils, ESPN reported Wednesday.
An injunction hearing is currently scheduled for Feb. 2 with Judge Ed Wilson of Durham County Superior Court.
Mensah’s attorney Darren Heitner is attempting to move the hearing to an earlier date, per the report.
Mensah announced on social media and told Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz he was entering the portal last Friday, the final day it was open.
Duke insists that Mensah is still bound by his multiyear NIL contract with the university.
“Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, and we expect he will do the same,” Duke’s athletics department said in a statement Wednesday. “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.”
Mensah had previously stated on Dec. 19 that he was returning for a second season with the Blue Devils instead of entering the draft after reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal ahead of the 2025 season.
After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was the second-team All-ACC quarterback in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 2025. He led the Blue Devils (9-5) to their first outright Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1962.
Mensah reportedly wants to transfer within the Atlantic Coast Conference to Miami, potentially replacing outgoing starter Carson Beck.
–Field Level Media
