Duke quarterback Darian Mensah can’t enroll at another school, play football at another school or license his name, image or likeness to another school at this time, a judge ruled in a lawsuit filed by Duke University on Tuesday.
Mensah is allowed to enter the transfer portal, Judge Michael O’Foghludha wrote in his opinion. The restrictions are in effect until Feb. 2 when there will be a preliminary injunction hearing.
“Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, and we expect he will do the same,” Duke said in a statement. “The court-ordered temporary restraining order (TRO) issued yesterday ensures he does not violate his contract. The university is committed to supporting all our student-athletes, while expecting each of them to abide by their contractual obligations.”
Mensah signed a two-season contract with Duke before the 2025 season worth a reported $4 million per season. He led Duke to the ACC championship and earned second-team All-ACC honors. In December, Mensah recommitted to Duke, posting a social media video announcing his intentions.
But on Jan. 16, the last day for players to enter the transfer portal, Mensah announced that he intended to transfer. He emailed Duke asking that the school enter his name into the transfer portal.
Miami is his expected destination.
Duke filed a lawsuit alleging that Mensah had violated various terms of his contract.
The court “finds that Duke has good cause related to its demand for arbitration as to the Mensah contract and that a temporary restraining order is therefore needed and authorized,” O’Foghludha wrote.
Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2025 for the Blue Devils. He played for Tulane in 2024.
