NCAA releases statement criticizing West Virginia players' eligibility ruling

In light of a judge’s ruling to grant four West Virginia football players eligibility in 2025, the NCAA released a statement. The organization criticized the ruling and the impact it could have on “academic standards.

Judge John Preston Bailey in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Virginia issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday, paving the way for the four players to suit up this year. Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards and Justin Harrington were all waiting on answers about whether they could play for WVU in 2025.

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The NCAA further called for Congressional action to settle the landscape and provide clarity on eligibility rules. It also cited the impact on academic standards, likely alluding to the fact the NCAA said Robinson was academically ineligible.

“This ruling will lead to high school students losing opportunities to compete in college athletics and it erodes the academic standards that have for decades ensured student-athletes have obtained an education,” the statement read. “The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and differing court opinions are why partnering with Congress is essential to provide stability for all college athletes.”

All four players, who started their respective careers at the junior college level, were waiting to hear about a waiver from the NCAA. In the lawsuit, they argued the NCAA is violating antitrust law by counting years spent at a junior college against eligibility. The suit refers to that rule as the “JUCO penalty” and cited the ruling in Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s case as a reason the players should be able to play this year.

The NCAA’s argument regarding Robinson’s academic ineligibility centered on the fact he didn’t complete the six credit hours necessary at UTSA prior to his transfer to West Virginia. However, Bailey’s order clearly stated he – as well as Weimer, Edwards and Harrington – should be eligible for the 2025-26 season.

“The NCAA is ORDERED to immediately grant West Virginia University and/or Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards, and Justin Harrington’s waivers of any NCAA eligibility rule that would preclude them from engaging in intercollegiate competition in the 2025–2026 season based on their time spent at a junior college,” the ruling states. “The NCAA is also ORDERED to declare Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards, and Justin Harrington eligible to play for West Virginia University during the 2025–2026 season.”