NCAA rules Kentucky EDGE Antonio O’Berry ineligible for 2026 season

There are numerous class of 2022 members fighting for an extra year of eligibility in the court system. Kentucky added a former player officially to the roster this week when Alex Afari Jr. received clearance to join the program. Unfortunately, the program also lost an eligibility fight recently. Head coach Will Stein dropped a bombshell in his opening statement after Saturday’s fall camp scrimmage at Kroger Field. Gardner-Webb EDGE transfer Antonio O’Berry will not be eligible to play college football in 2026. “The NCAA has notified us that Antonio O’Berry has exhausted his college eligibility. So we pursued every single option that we could for him,” Stein said. “He’s a great person and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.” The Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne product started his career in Division II at Tiffin University in Ohio and only played in two games his first few seasons. However, a big third year (35 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) led to an opportunity at FCS Gardner-Webb. O’Berry would then spend two seasons with the Bulldogs. During that time, the edge defender logged 9.5 sacks on 72 pressures along with 52 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2025. O’Berry entered the portal after the season and picked Kentucky over Ohio State and West Virginia. Unfortunately, he has been ruled ineligible. The NCAA recently issued a 5-for-5 eligibility rule. This means that players can only spend five years in college athletics. Many class of 2022 players are fighting for that fifth year. This is a different case than that. The new rule does not give exceptions for injuries or other hardships. There are no more waivers. Every player gets a five-year window. O’Berry’s five-year window has expired. Kentucky was fighting that ruling behind the scenes but could not get it overturned. The Cats have lost a body at outside linebacker. Sam Greene, Lorenzo Cowan, and CJ Works were each expected to play a big role on this defense before this O’Berry news. It doesn’t change much after the news. Those are UK’s guys at Jack linebacker. The never-ending eligibility fight continues in college athletics.