Northwestern center receives injunction for 2026 season

Northwestern's starting center received an injunction Monday that makes him eligible to play in the 2026 season. The player sued the NCAA after the association denied his request for an eligibility waiver this spring. A Cook County Circuit Court judge ruled that the player is entitled to an extra season of competition.

Background on eligibility dispute The player redshirted in 2022 and practiced with the team in 2021 but was not deemed healthy enough to play. The NCAA had argued that ankle injuries in 2021 did not prevent the chance of playing and that 2021 would count as the redshirt year. The player appeared in four games in 2022 and 32 games over the past three seasons, starting all 13 contests in 2025.

Court ruling details The judge referred to NCAA bylaws about what constitutes competition and cited a deposition from the former Northwestern offensive line coach. The coach stated the player's ankle was not healthy enough for him to play during the Big Ten season.

The ruling clears the way for the player to reclaim his starting center spot for 2026 under the new offensive coordinator. A guard who practiced at center throughout the spring is expected to return to his original position.