Judge grants Duke’s bid to block QB Darian Mensah’s transfer until Feb. 2 hearing in contract fight

In a recent development, a judge has granted Duke University’s request for a temporary restraining order to prevent quarterback Darian Mensah from enrolling at another school to play football until a court hearing scheduled for early February. This decision comes after the school filed a lawsuit against Mensah in Durham County Superior Court, seeking to block his transfer and contract negotiations with other schools following his decision to reverse his initial plan to return to the Blue Devils after leading them to victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference title.

Judge Michael O’Foghludha signed the order on Wednesday, prohibiting Mensah from taking any actions that would breach the two-season contract he signed with Duke, which runs through 2026. While the order did not prevent Mensah from entering the transfer portal entirely, it aims to maintain the current situation until the court hearing next month.

Duke University issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to honoring the contract with Mensah and expecting him to do the same. The school argued that the agreement, signed in July 2025, granted them exclusive rights to market Mensah’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) in connection with his college football career. The lawsuit also stated that any disputes must be resolved through arbitration as outlined in the contract.

This legal battle between Duke and Mensah is part of a growing trend in college sports where players seek to transfer, leading to conflicts over contractual obligations. Similar cases have emerged in recent months, such as Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. changing his mind about transferring after the school threatened legal action to enforce his NIL contract. Missouri pass rusher Damon Wilson II also filed a lawsuit against Georgia’s athletic department for allegedly trying to penalize him for entering the transfer portal.

As the legal proceedings continue, Mensah’s future in college football remains uncertain. The outcome of the court hearing in February will determine whether he can pursue opportunities with other schools or if he will be required to fulfill his contractual obligations with Duke. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving situation in the realm of college athletics.