Missouri football player sues NCAA over new eligibility rule

Former Mizzou defensive lineman Sterling Webb says a new condition effectively deprives the high school class of 2022 from the fifth season of play.CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) — A University of Missouri football player says the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s new age-based eligibility requirement is locking him out of one last season.Sterling Webb says in his Tuesday lawsuit filed in St. Louis County he is “asking for nothing more than what Defendant National Collegiate Athletic Association’s own rules now promise every college athlete: five seasons of competition in five years.”Webb claims a new NCAA rule, unanimously voted into effect in June 2026, scraps the decadeslong limit to four seasons of competition within a five-year period for student-athletes.The NCAA now uses an age-based model, where student-athletes are given five years to compete in a five-year window, beginning either when they are fully enrolled in college, or the academic year after their 19th birthday.“Webb checks every box the age-based model draws. He first enrolled in college in August 2022, days before his 19th birthday; his five-year clock, therefore, runs through the 2026-2027 academic year; and he has competed in only four seasons. Measured by the NCAA’s own new rule, Webb has a season left,” he writes.But, Webb says, a transition condition added by the NCAA threatens to have him, and other students who graduated high school the same year, sidelined.The condition provides that student-athletes who had already completed a fourth season of competition before the model takes effect, without a “redshirt year” in reserve, get nothing.“Athletes still holding eligibility after 2025-2026 may elect whichever framework treats them better; incoming athletes get the full benefit of the new model; and the only waiver exceptions that survive — for pregnancy, military service, and religious missions — have nothing to do with athletes in Webb’s position,” he writes. “Webb’s cohort alone, in substance the high school class of 2022, is locked out: no fifth season, no election, no waiver, no appeal, and no administrator to petition.”Webb claims the exclusion falls on the one group with the strongest claim to a fifth season.The St. Louis County native claims the group, including himself, had already been put at a disadvantage for traditional playing time due to Covid-19 pandemic eligibility exceptions, having to compete against players in their fourth, fifth and even sixth seasons of college ball.“The classes ahead of Webb got their fifth season by waiver,” he writes. “The classes behind him get theirs by rule. Webb’s class bore the competitive burden of both dispensations and received the benefit of neither.”Webb, a defensive lineman, wishes to return to Missouri where he has been a defensive standout the last two seasons. Last year, he played in all 13 games for the Tigers and recorded 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 23 total pressures.Webb claims he has a roster spot and name, image, and likeness, and revenue-sharing money available upon his return. The team reports for preseason camp on August 3.Webb claims student-athletes from Ohio and Texas have successfully challenged the NCAA in similar legal proceedings.“He asks this court for the same relief justice requires: a declaration that the NCAA rule preventing Webb from playing is null and void as applied to him, together with an order restraining the NCAA from enforcing its unconscionable and intimidating Rule of Restitution, a provision that punishes any citizen for exercising the constitutional right of access to the courts, against Webb, Mizzou, or anyone who takes the field with or against him,” he writes.Webb, who is represented by Andrew W. Blackwell of Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, says he is not seeking any monetary damages.The NCAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Categories / Education, SportsSubscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads