Judge denies Virginia QB Chandler Morris' bid for seventh year of college eligibility

The 25-year-old QB sued the NCAA in Charlottesville Circuit Court in February to try to return to the Cavaliers for one more season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:48am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college football quarterback in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy, orange, and green conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.The NCAA's defense of its eligibility rules faces ongoing legal challenges from student-athletes seeking to extend their college careers.Fort Worth Today

A Virginia circuit court judge denied a preliminary injunction request from Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris, who was seeking a seventh year of NCAA eligibility. The 25-year-old QB had sued the NCAA in Charlottesville Circuit Court in February in an attempt to return to the Cavaliers for one more season after his extension of eligibility waiver and appeal were denied.

Why it matters

This ruling is a major win for the NCAA, as the organization continues to defend its eligibility rules against legal challenges from student-athletes seeking additional years of college competition. The decision comes after the Mississippi Supreme Court recently cleared another quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, to return in 2026 after the NCAA's appeal was denied.

The details

Morris has spent six seasons in college football with Oklahoma, TCU, North Carolina, and Virginia, helping lead the Cavaliers to 11 wins and the ACC Championship game in 2025. He sued the NCAA after his extension of eligibility waiver and appeal were denied, arguing the organization wrongly denied a waiver for his 2022 season in which he missed significant time due to a knee injury. Morris and his attorneys claimed the NCAA disregarded mental health treatment documents submitted on his behalf.

  • In February 2026, Morris sued the NCAA in Charlottesville Circuit Court.
  • On April 2, 2026, a Virginia circuit court judge denied Morris' preliminary injunction request.

The players

Chandler Morris

A 25-year-old quarterback who has spent six seasons in college football with Oklahoma, TCU, North Carolina, and Virginia.

NCAA

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the governing body for college sports in the United States.

Jim Phillips

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) commissioner, who submitted an affidavit asking the court to uphold the NCAA's eligibility rules.

Trinidad Chambliss

A quarterback who was recently cleared to return in 2026 after the Mississippi Supreme Court denied the NCAA's appeal.

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What they’re saying

“The NCAA is pleased by the court's decision today, which protects the integrity of collegiate competition.”

— NCAA

“The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for all college athletes.”

— NCAA

What’s next

The judge's decision is a major win for the NCAA, which will likely continue to defend its eligibility rules against similar legal challenges from student-athletes seeking additional years of college competition.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between the NCAA's desire to maintain the integrity of its eligibility rules and the efforts of some student-athletes to extend their college careers. The ruling underscores the NCAA's position that its rules are essential for providing a fair and equitable college sports experience, even as the organization faces a patchwork of state laws and court decisions that challenge its authority.