Duke quarterback Darian Mensah lines up before the snap against Arizona State at Sun Bowl Stadium Photo:Sam Wasson/Getty Images
When Duke signed quarterback Darian Mensah to a reported two-year, $8 million NIL contract, it was lauded as a shrewd move in an era of star players jumping schools after a single season.
Why it matters: But a year later, Mensah — who led the ACC in passing yards and helped Duke win the ACC Championship — is testing that contract and trying to transfer to a new school, presumably conference rival Miami.
Driving the news: Duke has now sued Mensah in a Durham court to prevent him from playing for another school.
A temporary restraining order in the case is allowing Mensah to enter the transfer portal, but not to sign for another school, ESPN reported. A hearing is set for Feb. 2, though lawyers are trying to speed things along.
The big picture: The case could set a national precedent for players and schools under the current NCAA framework, which has not held up often against lawsuits.
Since 2024, when the NCAA began allowing unlimited transfers, schools have struggled to keep their rosters intact year to year.
Duke's multi-year contract pointed to a potential solution for schools, but this lawsuit will test whether the strategy holds up.
What they're saying: Duke issued a statement on Wednesday, saying it intends to honor its existing contract with Mensah and that it expects him to do so as well.
"The university is committed to supporting all our student-athletes, while expecting each of them to abide by their contractual obligations," the school said.
Fun fact: The judge originally assigned to the case is recusing himself because he's a major Duke sports fan, according to ESPN.
