Duke sues Darian Mensah, tries to stop transfer portal entry - ESPN

Duke University sued quarterback Darian Mensah on Tuesday, and the school asked a judge to issue an injunction and temporary restraining order that would prevent him from entering the transfer portal and joining another team.

Darren Heitner, Mensah's attorney, told ESPN that Durham County (North Carolina) Superior Court Judge Michael O'Foghludha ruled from the bench Tuesday, pending a written ruling, and denied Duke's request that Mensah be enjoined from entering the transfer portal.

«The judge, a Duke basketball season ticket holder, and thus a booster, also recused himself from future proceedings,» Heitner said.

Mensah informed Duke coach Manny Diaz that he intended to transfer on Friday, the last day of the transfer portal window.

Under the terms of Duke's NIL contract with Mensah, any disputes must be settled through arbitration. The school said it filed a claim for arbitration on Monday and wants the judge to issue relief until the end of that arbitration process.

Mensah, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-5 record and ACC title this past season, announced Dec. 19 that he intended to return to Duke this coming season, instead of entering the NFL draft. He had a multiyear NIL contract with Duke, which expires Dec. 31, that was believed to be worth up to $4 million for the upcoming season.

«Mensah reversed course, informed Duke that he would seek a transfer, and issued a public farewell,» the lawsuit said. «In so doing, he repudiated the contract. He proposes now to move onto another collegiate institution and act as if his obligations to Duke University do not exist. None of these facts can be disputed. But contracts mean something.»

Mensah, who started his college career at Tulane, has been linked to Miami, which is