The Duke football program was riding high after securing its first ACC Championship since 1989 in year two under head coach Manny Diaz. Then, it all came crashing down. Duke was set to enter the 2026 campaign with one of the best quarterbacks in college football, Darian Mensah. Then, Diaz and Co. were hit with a massive smack in the face as Mensah announced his intentions to hit the transfer portal hours before the entry window was set to close. Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) celebrates after the Blue Devils score a touchdown in overtime during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Duke filed a lawsuit against Mensah for breaching the details of his NIL contract, but the case was ultimately settled before it went to court. Mensah, along with Duke's top receiver Cooper Barkate, transferred to Miami.…