playDarian Mensah airs it out for 30-yard touchdown pass (0:31)Darian Mensah connects for a 30-yard touchdown pass for Duke. (0:31)Mark SchlabachJan 20, 2026, 02:46 PM ETCloseSenior college football writer Author of seven books on college football Graduate of the University of GeorgiaFollow on XEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDuke University sued quarterback Darian Mensah on Tuesday, and a judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have prevented him from entering the transfer portal. 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. Heitner said Duke is expected to enter Mensah into the transfer portal Wednesday."The judge, a Duke basketball season-ticket holder, and thus a booster, also recused himself from future proceedings," Heitner said. As a result, a different judge, Ed Wilson, will rule on Duke's request for relief that would prevent Mensah from enrolling at another school, playing at another school and licensing his name, image and likeness to another school. Heitner said Wilson is scheduled to hear the case on Feb. 2, but Mensah's team will push to move the date sooner. 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.
