NIL has changed the game in college sports, and that was on display this week as quarterback Darian Mensah became the highest-paid college football player after transferring to Duke earlier this month.
It is believed the Tulane redshirt freshman is being paid $8 million over two years to play for the Blue Devils, according to CBS Sports, and the $4 million annual average is what gives him the distinction of being the highest-paid player in college football, unofficially.
The deal signifies the changing dynamics in collegiate sports, particularly football, due to NIL money.
Just recently, Michigan was able to flip LSU commit Bryce Underwood, thanks to a $10 million NIL offer that will pay him over his four years at Michigan.
Well-known sports law attorney Darren Heitner assisted with the Mensah deal, calling it “groundbreaking” in a post on X Monday.
Noah Reisenfeld and Adie von Gontard of Young Money APAA Sports represented Mensah on the deal.
Mensah is coming off an impressive season at Tulane, where he ascended from the scout team quarterback in his first year to the starter on a team that reached the American Athletic Conference Championship Game in 2024.
Mensah threw for 2,273 yards and 22 touchdowns along with just six interceptions in his first and only season as Tulane’s starting quarterback.
He led the American Athletic Conference in completion percentage and passer efficiency rating during the 2024 season.
“He’s a future NFL quarterback,” one SEC scout told The Athletic earlier this month after news of his transfer first broke.
Duke is coming off a 9-3 campaign, one of the best years in program history under the tutelage of first-year head coach Manny Diaz.
The addition of Mensah comes after the program moved on from quarterback Maalik Murphy, who had a strong season himself for the Blue Devils.
Murphy, who tossed 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024, is transferring to Oregon State.