Tag: Duke

Tony the Tiger dumps Frosted Flakes on Manny Diaz, head football coach at Duke, after a 42-39 win against Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

Duke coach Manny Diaz inked to extension through 2031

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Duke coach Manny Diaz inked a contract extension that will keep him in Durham, N.C. through the 2031 season, the university announced on Thursday.

Diaz has posted an 18-9 record at Duke in two seasons and led the squad to its first outright ACC title since 1962 this past season. They defeated Virginia, 27-20, in overtime in the ACC Championship game and then edged Arizona State, 42-39, in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Diaz has signed the best recruiting class in the program’s history for 2026, according to AVG Recruit Ranking

The university did not release terms of the extension.

“Manny Diaz is exactly the right leader at exactly the right time for Duke University,” athletic director Nina King said in a statement. “His clear vision for Duke football, deep understanding of our student-athletes and strong alignment with campus and athletics leadership have positioned us for sustained success in the years ahead. We are incredibly proud to have him leading the Blue Devils, and with his passion, integrity and expertise, Duke football will continue to pursue excellence on and off the field well into the future.”

The 52-year-old Diaz replaced Mike Elko, who left Duke for Texas A&M after the 2023 season. He led the Blue Devils to a 9-4 record in 2024, but they fell, 52-20, to Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl.

The Miami, Fla. native served as head coach for his hometown Hurricanes from 2019-21, compiling a 21-15 record. Miami appeared in three consecutive bowl games, although Diaz was dismissed prior to the 2021 Sun Bowl and the team subsequently opted out of the game.

He then served as defensive coordinator at Penn State for two seasons before taking the Duke position.

In 2025, Duke played the aggressive defense that Diaz’ teams have been known for. The Blue Devils finished 11th nationally in fumbles recovered (10), 13th in turnover margin (+0.71), 14th in turnovers gained (24) and 16th in tackles for loss per game (6.6).

–Field Level Media

Ex-Duke QB Darian Mensah commits to Miami

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Former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah committed to Miami shortly after settling his legal dispute with the Blue Devils.

On Tuesday morning, Duke and Mensah negotiated a settlement that allowed him to transfer to another school.

On Tuesday night, Mensah confirmed to On3 his commitment to the Hurricanes as the successor to Carson Beck.

Not only that, he is bringing his No. 1 target with the Blue Devils — wideout Cooper Barkate — with him to Miami.

After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-best 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with six interceptions in 2025.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound rising redshirt junior led the Blue Devils (9-5) to their first outright ACC championship since 1962.

Barkate, who has one year of eligibility remaining, caught 72 passes for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025.

This is the third straight recruiting cycle where Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal has landed arguably the top QB in the transfer portal: Cam Ward (Washington State) in 2024 and Beck (Georgia) in 2025.

–Field Level Media

Darian Mensah, Duke reach settlement in transfer fight

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Darian Mensah and Duke have agreed to a settlement that will allow the quarterback to transfer to another school.

Mensah’s agency, Young Money APAA Sports, and the school announced the news on Tuesday morning.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Multiple media outlets reported Mensah is expected to transfer to Miami and take over for the outgoing Carson Beck.

The dispute began Jan. 16, when Mensah announced that he intended to enter the transfer portal. Four days later, Duke filed a lawsuit in Durham County Superior Court in an attempt to prevent him from transferring and insisted that the player was bound by his multiyear NIL (name, image and likeness) contract with the university.

“As Mensah agreed when he signed his contract, such breaches cause Duke irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law and, in the event of any such breach, Duke is entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief,” the lawsuit said, per Front Office Sports.

Duke entered Mensah’s name in the NCAA transfer portal on Jan. 21, however he was unable to enroll at another school until a judge ruled on the school’s injunction request.

“Through close collaboration and principled negotiation, we have successfully navigated an unprecedented path, one that has now reached a fair and mutually agreeable resolution,” Young Money APAA Sports said in a statement.

Duke offered the following statement on Tuesday:

“We are committed to fulfilling all promises and obligations Duke makes to our student-athletes when we enter into contractual agreements with them, and we expect the same in return. Enforcing those agreements is a necessary element of ensuring predictability and structure for athletic programs. It is nonetheless a difficult choice to pursue legal action against a student and teammate; for this reason we sought to resolve the matter fairly and quickly.

“Duke remains dedicated to the welfare of all student-athletes, and we appreciate them for the talent, dedication, and commitment to excellence they demonstrate both on and off the field. We also remain committed to upholding the integrity of our athletics programs and institutional guidelines. We thank Darian for his contributions to Duke University.”

After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-best 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with six interceptions in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound sophomore led the Blue Devils (9-5) to their first outright ACC championship since 1962.

–Field Level Media

Duke’s Darian Mensah requests expedited hearing on transfer

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Duke quarterback Darian Mensah turned to a hurry-up offense, requesting an expedited hearing on Friday as he seeks a court ruling on his transfer plans.

The Durham (North Carolina) Superior Court ruled earlier this week that Mensah is allowed to enter the transfer portal but cannot enroll at another school until a judge rules on Duke’s request for an injunction that would stop him from leaving.

The preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2 with Judge Ed Wilson, but Mensah’s attorneys contend that will be too late.

“Deadlines at other collegiate institutions who have indicated to me their interest in my enrollment will expire on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026,” read an affidavit filed by Mensah on Friday.

Duke insists that Mensah still is bound by his multiyear NIL contract with the university.

“Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, and we expect he will do the same,” Duke’s athletics department said in a statement Wednesday. “The court-ordered temporary restraining order (TRO) issued yesterday ensures he does not violate his contract. The university is committed to supporting all of our student-athletes, while expecting each of them to abide by their contractual obligations.”

Mensah previously had stated on Dec. 19 that he was returning for a second season with the Blue Devils instead of entering the draft after reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal ahead of the 2025 season.

After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was the second-team All-ACC quarterback in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 2025. He led the Blue Devils (9-5) to their first outright Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1962.

Mensah reportedly wants to transfer within the Atlantic Coast Conference to Miami, potentially replacing outgoing starter Carson Beck.

–Field Level Media

Duke QB Darian Mensah can’t sign elsewhere until ruling

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Duke quarterback Darian Mensah will remain in transfer portal limbo while awaiting a courtroom decision.

He is allowed to enter the portal but can’t enroll at or play for another school until a North Carolina judge rules on Duke’s request for an injunction that would stop him from leaving the Blue Devils, ESPN reported Wednesday.

An injunction hearing is currently scheduled for Feb. 2 with Judge Ed Wilson of Durham County Superior Court.

Mensah’s attorney Darren Heitner is attempting to move the hearing to an earlier date, per the report.

Mensah announced on social media and told Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz he was entering the portal last Friday, the final day it was open.

Duke insists that Mensah is still bound by his multiyear NIL contract with the university.

“Mr. Mensah has an existing contract with Duke which the university intends to honor, and we expect he will do the same,” Duke’s athletics department said in a statement Wednesday. “The court-ordered temporary restraining order (TRO) issued yesterday ensures he does not violate his contract. The university is committed to supporting all of our student-athletes, while expecting each of them to abide by their contractual obligations.”

Mensah had previously stated on Dec. 19 that he was returning for a second season with the Blue Devils instead of entering the draft after reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal ahead of the 2025 season.

After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was the second-team All-ACC quarterback in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 2025. He led the Blue Devils (9-5) to their first outright Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1962.

Mensah reportedly wants to transfer within the Atlantic Coast Conference to Miami, potentially replacing outgoing starter Carson Beck.

–Field Level Media

Duke sues QB Darian Mensah to prevent him from transferring

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Duke University sued quarterback Darian Mensah on Tuesday after his announcement that he was entering the transfer portal despite an NIL contract with the university through the end of this year.

Duke claimed that the contract gives the university exclusive rights to Mensah’s name, image and likeness “with respect to higher education and football,” in the complaint filed to the Superior Court in Durham County, N.C.

The school asked for an injunction and a temporary restraining order to prevent Mensah from entering the portal and joining another team. Duke claimed that, per the multiyear contract with Mensah, the parties are required to submit all disputes to arbitration. The university is seeking monetary damages as well as preventing Mensah from playing football at another school before the contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026.

“Duke University seeks this relief only until the end of the arbitration process, at which point the final decision of the arbitrator can be enforced by this Court,” the complaint reads.

Mensah’s attorney, Darren Heitner, told ESPN and The Athletic that Superior Court Judge Michael O’Foghludha ruled from the bench, pending a ruling in writing, a denial of Duke’s request on Tuesday.

“The judge, a Duke basketball season-ticket holder, and thus a booster, also recused himself from future proceedings,” Heitner told ESPN.

Heitner told The Athletic that, unless the sides reach a resolution, there will be another hearing, at a date to be determined, in front of another judge to “flesh through the remainder of Duke’s requests.”

Mensah announced that he was entering the portal Friday, the last day of the window to do so. He previously stated on Dec. 19 that he was returning for a second season with the Blue Devils instead of entering the draft after reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal ahead of the 2025 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.”

After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was the second-team All-ACC quarterback in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He led the Blue Devils (9-5) to their first outright Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1962.

Miami has emerged as a likely landing spot for Mensah, according to multiple media reports. The Hurricanes had great success with transfer quarterbacks Cam Ward in 2024 and Carson Beck this season, reaching the College Football Playoff title game on Monday. Indiana defeated Miami and Beck, in his last game for the Hurricanes, 27-21.

Miami reserve quarterback Emory Williams told ESPN on Tuesday that he has entered the transfer portal, indicating that the Hurricanes have another QB in place for next season. Williams is expected to transfer to East Carolina.

–Field Level Media

Duke QB Darian Mensah reverses course, enters transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

On the last day of the window to do so, Duke quarterback Darian Mensah announced Friday that he intends to enter the transfer portal.

Mensah previously announced on Dec. 19 that he was returning for a second season with the Blue Devils instead of entering the draft after reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal ahead of the 2025 season.

Miami has emerged as a likely landing spot for Mensah, according to multiple media reports.

“I’m forever grateful for Duke and the coaching staff,” Mensah wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Thank you Duke family for everything. 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.”

After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was the second-team All-ACC quarterback in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He led the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC championship since 1962.

It remains to be seen if this plays out in a similar manner to a comparable quarterback incident earlier this month.

Washington quarterback Demond Williams previously announced he was entering the portal after signing a contract to return for the Huskies. The school threatened to sue, and Williams decided to pull his name out of the portal and return to the school on Jan. 9.

According to reports, Duke owns Mensah’s exclusive NIL rights and only the school can cancel that agreement. That could make it hard for other schools to pay Mensah either through an NIL deal or revenue sharing, potentially setting the stage for a historic court ruling should Duke attempt to block the transfer.

Miami has used transfer quarterbacks to great success the last two seasons. Cam Ward was a Heisman finalist on last year’s 10-win team before he was the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, and Georgia transfer Carson Beck has led the Hurricanes to Monday’s national title game against No. 1 seed Indiana.

Should Mensah leave the Blue Devils, it would leave Duke without an especially great option at quarterback with limited portal options remaining. His backup last season, Henry Belin IV, transferred out of the program and committed to Missouri State on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Duke outscores Arizona State as offenses shine in Sun Bowl

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Darian Mensah’s fourth touchdown pass of the day went to Que’Sean Brown for 17 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 2:10 remaining in Duke’s 42-39 victory against Arizona State in the Sun Bowl on Wednesday at El Paso, Texas.

Brown caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage and made his way down the left sideline for his second TD of the game as the Blue Devils (9-5) followed their Atlantic Coast Conference championship with another postseason triumph.

Mensah was 29-for-51 for 327 yards, with Brown making 10 catches for 178 yards and two TDs – all game-highs. Nate Sheppard rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

Arizona State quarterback Jeff Sims threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more. He was 27-for-38 for 375 passing yards. Jalen Moss collected 129 receiving yards with a touchdown on five catches, and Jason Brown Jr. rushed for 120 yards for the Sun Devils (8-5).

The Sun Devils totaled 619 yards of offense, the Blue Devils 539.

Despite all of the offense, Arizona State’s defense made big plays in the fourth quarter by stopping Duke after the Blue Devils reached the 6-yard line, so the Sun Devils regained possession with less than three minutes to play. On the next snap, Duke’s Ma’Khi Jones recovered Demarius Robinson’s fumble at the Sun Devils’ 22 and the turnover set up the winning drive.

Linebacker Luke Mergott then intercepted Sims. Mergott also made the game-clinching pick-off in overtime of the ACC title game against Virginia on Dec. 6. The Blue Devils clinched the outcome on Wednesday with a fourth-and-4 conversion.

Neither team led by more than seven points other than when Duke went up 35-24 in the third quarter on Sheppard’s 3-yard run.

It took the Sun Devils slightly more than a minute to respond, with Sims’ 8-yard pass to Khamari Anderson and Sims’ two-point conversion run.

Then Arizona State went ahead when Sims threw for 6 yards to Malik McClain with 12:31 remaining.

Duke followed with an 11-play possession that ended on a fourth-down incompletion after moving to the Arizona State 37-yard line.

Arizona State scored on its first possession of the game when Sims ran 2 yards for a touchdown at the end of an 83-yard drive.

Duke’s first two scoring drives consisted of a total of seven plays covering 124 yards, with Mensah throwing for 69 yards to Brown and then tossing 3 yards to Cooper Barkate in a span of less than 2 1/2 minutes.

Sims threw to Moss for a 44-yard touchdown play to complete the scoring in an eventful first quarter.

Duke got rolling again on a bit of a trick play, with Jeremiah Hasley taking Mensah’s pass 14 yards for a touchdown. Sims countered with a 38-yard TD run.

Anderson Castle put Duke back in front on a 3-yard run with 1:50 left in the half, but there was time for Jesus Gomez to boot a 54-yard field goal as the Sun Devils trimmed the deficit to 28-24 before halftime.

Arizona State held a 348-271 edge in first-half yardage.

–Field Level Media

Duke, Arizona State meet in Sun Bowl after unsatisfying finishes

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Duke accomplished one goal earlier this month and would like to add another achievement in the Sun Bowl.

The Blue Devils will take on Arizona State on Wednesday in El Paso, Texas.

Both teams have created late-season momentum that they would like to expand on.

Arizona State (8-4) had a three-game winning streak until losing 23-7 to rival Arizona in the regular-season finale.

While bowl season brings a cloud of uncertainty, it’s about adjusting, according to Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham.

“I’m going to support whatever our players do, whatever they deem is best,” he said.

Duke (8-5) is the Atlantic Coast Conference champion after upsetting Virginia in the title game. But the Blue Devils had too many hiccups during the regular season, including three nonconference losses, so they were left out of the College Football Playoff.

The consolation prize was a spot in the Sun Bowl. The teams met in the same stadium in the 2014 Sun Bowl, with Arizona State winning 36-31.

“I’m excited at the way our team has worked,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said in the lead-up to the bowl. “As we’ve seen this year, when we play well we’re pretty hard to beat. … We’re learning how to build a big-time program here. And this season has been a remarkable teacher for us.”

The Sun Devils have relied on Jeff Sims (seven TD passes, five interceptions, 466 rushing yards, three TDs) across the past four games after an injury to Sam Leavitt, who informed Arizona State earlier this month that he’s entering the transfer portal. Sims has yet to throw for 210 yards in a game.

Dillingham said speculation about him leaving for another coaching job didn’t create a distraction in the big picture.

“Just another day doing what I do and operating,” he said.

Duke had a sour bowl experience last season when a largely depleted roster was a blowout victim to Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl.

This could look different for the Blue Devils, with quarterback Darian Mensah announcing earlier this month that he’ll play another season for Duke and thus will take snaps in this week’s game.

Mensah has thrown for 30 touchdowns with five interceptions, racking up an ACC-leading 3,646 passing yards.

There will be no bowl for Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker II, defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr. and cornerback Chandler Rivers. They all opted out in pursuit of prepping for the draft after receiving some level of All-ACC recognition.

With the exception of that trio, Diaz says he expects the rest of Duke’s roster which won the ACC championship to play in the bowl game.

Arizona State could be a bit more depleted, with 11 players declaring for the draft. But some of those, including linebacker Jordan Crook and defensive lineman Justin Wodtly, are expected to be in uniform on New Year’s Eve.

“They’re a team that immediately grabs your attention,” Diaz said. “They certainly have enough good players to beat anybody.”

Diaz said generating a rushing attack against Arizona State will be a major task. Duke freshman running back Nate Sheppared is at 962 rushing yards this season with 10 touchdown runs.

The Sun Bowl is Arizona State’s most frequent postseason destination. The Sun Devils are 4-2-1 in the bowl, with the most recent appearance coming when they defeated Florida State in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Duke rolls Wake Forest to keep ACC title-game hopes alive

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Darian Mensah set Duke’s single-season record with his 27th and 28th passing touchdowns and the Blue Devils went on to beat Wake Forest 49-32 to stay alive in the Atlantic Coast Conference title chase Saturday at Durham, N.C.

Anderson Castle and Nate Sheppard each ran for two touchdowns as the Blue Devils (7-5, 6-2 ACC) never trailed. Duke needs help in Saturday’s late games to reach next week’s ACC championship game.

Mensah was 24-for-35 for 268 yards, including a 30-yard TD strike to Sahmir Hagans in the third quarter for the school record. Earlier in the game, Mensah scrambled 4 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season.

Wake Forest (8-4, 4-4) committed four turnovers without forcing any. Quarterback Robby Ashford threw for two touchdowns and 342 yards with an interception and ran for a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.

Duke broke away with the first two touchdowns of the second half, with Mensah throwing the scoring pass to Hagans and Castle plowing in from 2 yards out to take a 35-17 lead.

Ashford’s 10-yard run and ensuing two-point conversion run on the final snaps of the third quarter cut the deficit to 35-25.

Hagans returned the kickoff 80 yards to the Wake Forest 13 to begin the fourth quarter. Sheppard was in the end zone two plays later on a 13-yard run around the left end.

In the second quarter, Wake Forest’s fourth-down gamble from its 36 went awry when Duke’s Vincent Anthony Jr. tackled Ashford for a 2-yard loss with 4:02 to play in the half. The Blue Devils converted on Castle’s 1-yard run.

But the Demon Deacons responded, driving 75 yards in eight plays without a timeout – picking up a fourth-and-3 along the way — and scoring on Ashford’s 20-yard pass to Karate Brenson with 29 seconds left in the half.

Wake Forest was flagged for 58 yards worth of penalties — all on defense — in the first quarter. Both teams scored on their first two possessions.

Duke scored first-quarter touchdowns on Sheppard’s 5-yard run and Mensah’s 4-yard scramble, which came on the final play of the quarter for a 14-3 lead.

Wake Forest’s first points came on Connor Calvert’s 42-yard field goal. The Demon Deacons opened the second-quarter scoring when Ashford threw 22 yards to Sawyer Racanelli.

–Field Level Media