Virginia QB Chandler Morris Denied Injunction in Bid for 7th Season

The circuit court judge ruled against the player's request for a preliminary injunction.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:43am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a college football quarterback in mid-throw, with his body and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of navy, orange, and white.The legal battle over a college quarterback's bid for an extra season of eligibility exposes the complexities of NCAA rules.Charlottesville Today

Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris was denied in his bid for a preliminary injunction as he seeks a seventh season of eligibility. Morris had filed a lawsuit in Charlottesville Circuit Court last month seeking the injunction after the NCAA denied his medical redshirt waiver and appeal, but a judge ruled against him on Thursday.

Why it matters

This decision is a setback for Morris, who was hoping to extend his college football career for one more season due to extenuating circumstances. The case highlights the challenges student-athletes can face when navigating the NCAA's eligibility rules and waiver process.

The details

Morris, the starting quarterback for the Virginia Cavaliers, was seeking a seventh year of eligibility after the NCAA denied his request for a medical redshirt waiver. The waiver would have allowed him to play an additional season due to injuries and other factors that limited his playing time in previous years. However, the Charlottesville Circuit Court judge ruled against granting Morris a preliminary injunction, which would have temporarily allowed him to play while the case was still being decided.

  • Morris filed the lawsuit in Charlottesville Circuit Court last month.
  • The judge ruled against Morris' request for a preliminary injunction on Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Chandler Morris

The starting quarterback for the Virginia Cavaliers football team who is seeking a seventh year of NCAA eligibility.

NCAA

The governing body for college sports that denied Morris' request for a medical redshirt waiver, leading to his lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“We're disappointed in the court's decision, but we will continue to fight for Chandler's right to play one more season.”

— Chandler Morris, Virginia Quarterback

What’s next

Morris and his legal team are expected to appeal the circuit court's decision, but the timeline for a potential appeal process is unclear.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities student-athletes can face when navigating the NCAA's eligibility rules, and the challenges they may encounter when seeking exceptions or additional playing time due to extenuating circumstances.