Darian Mensah Allowed To Enter Transfer Portal After Judge Blocks Duke Football’s Lawsuit To Keep Him Out: REPORT

The college football transfer portal continues to deliver its annual dose of jaw-dropping and unpredictable moves.

In a stunning development right before the deadline, Duke football lost quarterback Darian Mensah to the portal — an unexpected exit that caught the program completely off guard. The Blue Devils have since turned to the courts in an attempt to block Mensah’s departure.

According to ESPN senior college football writer Pete Thamel, Duke first sought a judicial order to prevent Mensah from entering the transfer portal at all. The judge, however, rejected that request, permitting Mensah to remain in the portal and raising serious questions about the enforceability of the contract he had previously signed with the university. (RELATED: Ole Miss’s Michael La Sasso Makes Stunning LIV Decision That Sees Masters Invite, PGA Tour Membership Slip Away)

“In July 2025, Mensah signed a multi-year contract with Duke University that ends on December 31, 2026, and which provides Duke several rights, including exclusive rights throughout the term to Mensah’s name, image and likeness (“NIL) with respect to higher education and football,” reads the lawsuit, per Yahoo Sports.

“Duke University has met all of its obligations under that contract,” continues the lawsuit. “As recently as December 2025, Mensah affirmed his commitment to Duke University. Then, a few hours before the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) deadline for student-athletes in football to initiate notification of transfer (Colloquially, entering the ‘transfer portal), Mensah reversed …”

The counsel for Darian Mensah’s agents, Darren Heitner, told @CBSSports that the judge today denied Duke’s request to not have to enter Mensah into the transfer portal.

“Our understanding based on that is they’re going to comply with NCAA rules. And they’ll do so tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/1oKOhjeBBQ

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 20, 2026

Last season, Mensah inked a two-year transfer agreement to move from Tulane to Duke.

His abrupt entry into the transfer portal just before the deadline was particularly jarring because he had publicly confirmed his intention to return to the Blue Devils for the upcoming campaign Dec. 19.

In his lone year at Duke, Mensah posted impressive numbers, completing 66.8% of his passes for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns against just six interceptions, while also adding one rushing touchdown. (RELATED: Illinois Sees 15% Decline In Sports Betting After Tax Hammers Gambling Community)

It’s also important to highlight that Mensah received All-ACC Second-Team honors and played a pivotal role in guiding the Blue Devils to their first ACC title since 1989.

At this early stage, the program most frequently linked to landing Mensah appears to be fellow ACC school Miami, which faces an urgent need at the quarterback position following Carson Beck’s impending departure due to the end of his eligibility.

The Daily Caller has reached out to Duke University for comment.