Duke quarterback Darian Mensah turned to a hurry-up offense, requesting an expedited hearing on Friday as he seeks a court ruling on his transfer plans.
The Durham (North Carolina) Superior Court ruled earlier this week that Mensah is allowed to enter the transfer portal but cannot enroll at another school until a judge rules on Duke’s request for an injunction that would stop him from leaving.
The preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2 with Judge Ed Wilson, but Mensah’s attorneys contend that will be too late.
“Deadlines at other collegiate institutions who have indicated to me their interest in my enrollment will expire on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026,” read an affidavit filed by Mensah on Friday.
Duke insists that Mensah still is 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 previously had 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.
