Miami's interest in Duke quarterback Darian Mensah is real, but the biggest obstacle is in Durham. Duke, not Mensah, appears to hold the leverage that could slow or even block the move Miami fans are already assuming is next.
Mensah entered the transfer portal on the final day of the winter window, reversing course after previously indicating he planned to return to Duke.
Story with more details on Duke QB Darian Mensah entering the portal, and assumed to be heading to Miami, while still under contract for another year at Duke.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 17, 2026
A source confirms there's no buyout number, but Duke could withhold his NIL rights from Miami.https://t.co/E2PLjymXzr
Miami has its eyes on Duke QB Darian Mensah
Mensah is entering the second year of a two-year agreement that would pay him up to $4 million in 2026, and the contract grants Duke exclusive NIL rights. There is no specific buyout amount written into the deal. Instead of a clear price tag to end the agreement, if he were to leave it would become a negotiation, or potentially a legal fight, over what it means for a player to leave while a school believes it still controls his NIL rights.
If Duke truly retains Mensah's exclusive NIL rights, Duke could choose not to terminate the agreement, effectively leaving Miami without access to the rights that are often tied to athlete compensation. According to Duke's understanding, the only way Mensah can access revenue-share money is through Duke unless they terminate the contract.
Mensah is an elite player, and what he has done on the field explains why Miami would be willing to go after him, despite the potential legal complications. Mensah threw for 3,973 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and six interceptions last season.
There's recent precedent for a situation like this getting ugly fast. Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. backed off transfer plans after Washington explored legal action tied to a contract dispute.
Miami, notably, has also already been connected to legal gray areas in this space. Wisconsin filed a lawsuit accusing Miami of tampering related to Xavier Lucas. That situation was obviously very different, but the point is that this isn't new ground in college football anymore. Programs, whether right or wrong, are becoming all too familiar with legal battles.
So, where does that leave Miami and Mensah? It seems like the cards are in Duke's hands for now. Even if Miami is willing to see everything through with Mensah, Duke may have the power to decide whether it can actually happen, and on their own terms.