Quarterback Darian Mensah Joins Miami Hurricanes After Legal Battle With Duke

Joseph Busatto
1 hour ago
2 min read

by Jose Baixauli

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) warms up prior to the game action against Illinois at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina. (Lance King/Getty Images/TNS)

Darian Mensah has officially joined the University of Miami as their new quarterback, ending a months-long legal dispute with Duke University over his transfer. The decision gives Miami a seasoned quarterback with real game experience just in time for the upcoming season.

NCAA transfer rules allow players to transfer once without losing a season of eligibility, but they must get approval to play immediately in another school. Mensah’s case was initially blocked, triggering a legal dispute with Duke.

Duke argued that Mensah signed an NIL, which was supposed to cover him for the 2025-2026 season, and by transferring, he was violating that contract. Duke argued that the contract required arbitration to resolve any disputes before Mensah could enroll elsewhere and claimed that transferring early would harm the school’s contract.

Mensah and his team pointed out that if he couldn't enroll before the deadlines, it would permanently close the window of opportunity for him to enter the transfer portal and join Miami, even though the NCAA generally allows players to transfer once without penalty. They argued that this would delay his ability to play and disrupt his college football career.

Ultimately, they landed on a settlement, which resolved the contractual issues without a full court ruling and cleared a way for Mensah to transfer to Miami.

Under NCAA rules, players can transfer once without losing a season of eligibility but must obtain approval to play immediately at a new school. Mensah’s case drew attention because the legal dispute initially prevented him from entering the transfer portal and joining Miami, even though the NCAA generally allows players to transfer once without penalty.

Mensah’s transfer highlights both the evolving NCAA transfer rules and the impact of NIL contracts on college athletics. For Miami, it represents a key addition to the roster, shaping the team’s strategy and performance in the upcoming season.