Miami Sent Strong Warning Over Legal Risk, QB Future With Duke’s Darian Mensah

Hours before the college football transfer portal was set to close, a major splash was made when Duke quarterback Darian Mensah entered his name. Rumors immediately began swirling about why he made the move — and where the Blue Devils signal-caller might end up.

The “why” remains speculative, but money is always the leading theory. In a post on X, Mensah said the decision was in his “best interest.”

“I’m forever grateful for Duke and the coaching staff. Thank you Duke family for everything,” Mensah wrote. “This wasn’t an easy decision, but after talking with my family, I believe it’s in my best interest to enter the transfer portal.”

The “where” quickly followed, with speculation pointing toward ACC rival Miami. The Hurricanes have struck out on several quarterbacks in the portal while searching for a replacement for Carson Beck next season. They even made a reported $6.5 million offer to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in an effort to pull him back from the NFL Draft, but to no avail.

CBS Sports’ Cody Nagel previously reported Miami would turn aggressive, “exploring every option, including quarterbacks not yet in the portal.” It appears they did just that.

“Per source, Darian Mensah is expected to sign with Miami barring something unforeseen,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported. “Canes poised to land a top QB for a 3rd straight year.”

However, there may be significant hurdles the Hurricanes must clear before getting too excited.

Darian Mensah, Miami May Face Legal Issues

While it’s difficult not to be intrigued if you’re a Miami fan, the situation could get messy before Mensah ever signs.

Mensah became one of the most expensive quarterbacks on the market last season when he signed a two-year, $4 million deal with Duke for his exclusive NIL rights — and that’s where complications arise, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.

“Like most rev-share contracts, Duke’s deal prohibits another university from using Mensah’s NIL — a legal entanglement that must be resolved,” Dellenger said.

“If a buyout is paid by Mensah’s new school — possibly the value of the contract ($4M) — it will be reduced from the revenue-share pool of his new school, according to House settlement rules.”

North Carolina attorney and Duke alum David McKenzie believes Mensah could also be breaking state law.

“The transfer portal doesn’t void contracts,” McKenzie posted. “A $4M/year NIL deal almost certainly locks forum (Durham County or arbitration) and remedies. Duke drafted the paper, picked the referee, and holds the leverage. And the school that ‘recruited’ him into breach should be nervous: a tortious-interference claim, under basic lex loci principles, likely lands in North Carolina — right where Duke wants it.”

McKenzie added that tortious interference claims can result in triple damages.

Miami’s Quarterback Strategy Under the Microscope

Beyond the legal hurdles Miami may have to clear to land Mensah, the program’s long-term quarterback approach is becoming increasingly interesting.

If Mensah starts in 2026, it would mark the third consecutive season Miami has turned to the transfer portal for a high-profile quarterback while highly rated high school recruits remain on the bench.

That strategy could eventually be used against the Hurricanes on the recruiting trail, with opposing staffs pointing to the lack of development opportunities. Still, Jackson doesn’t believe it will be an issue.

“I hear some of you who say other schools will tell prep QBs not to come here. It’s a valid concern,” Jackson said. “But it won’t matter with UM determined to do whatever it takes to get an exceptional QB in the portal every year. They have the money, the climate, nightlife, now chance to win big, etc.”

Under Mario Cristobal, it’s clear Miami has embraced an ultra-aggressive approach — on the field and off it. One way or another, the Hurricanes appear determined to find their next quarterback.

Shane Shoemaker Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker