Duke University has sued star quarterback Darian Mensah, seeking to stop him from entering the transfer portal and playing for another school next season.
Mensah, a second-team All-ACC selection who led Duke to the ACC championship in his first season with the Blue Devils, announced last week that he would enter the transfer portal. Duke wrote in its lawsuit, filed Tuesday in state court, that Mensah signed a multi-year deal with the school that runs through the end of 2026.
“This case arises out of the decisions of a star quarterback in the increasingly complex world of college athletics,” the university wrote. “But, at its core, this is a simple case that involves the integrity of contracts.”
Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns for Duke. He posted a video on social media in December, reiterating his commitment to the program. But on the final day for players to enter the transfer portal, Mensah reversed course.
“I’m forever grateful for Duke and the coaching staff,” Mensah wrote on X. “Thank you Duke family for everything. This wasn’t an easy decision, but after talking with my family, I believe it’s in my best interest to enter the transfer portal.”
His action, Duke’s legal filing claims, “repudiated the contract.”
The terms of Mensah’s contract require that any disputes be resolved by arbitration, according to the lawsuit. And Duke is asking that the player be prohibited from entering the portal, enrolling or playing elsewhere or licensing his name, image and likeness to any other institution until the case is resolved.
The judge in the case denied Duke’s request for a temporary restraining order restricting Mensah, his lawyer told several national outlets Tuesday afternoon.
Duke claims that the contract Mensah signed prohibited him from enrolling or playing sports at any other collegiate institution through Dec. 31, 2026. The university is asking that the quarterback be prevented from enrolling or competing elsewhere until that date.
The suit demands, “In order to protect Duke University’s rights under the Mensah Contract and in the arbitration process, and to protect the integrity of the arbitration process itself, the status quo must be preserved in which Mensah is not permitted to enter the transfer portal and commit further breaches of his contract.”
The suit claims that Mensah, his family or his representatives have been shopping around without telling Duke, another breach of the contract.
