Sterling Webb cleared to play for Missouri after judge denies NCAA motion

A St. Louis County judge has denied an NCAA motion to dismiss a temporary restraining order, clearing University of Missouri defensive tackle Sterling Webb to play for the Tigers this season. The ruling comes less than 24 hours before Missouri’s season opener against Arkansas Pine-Bluff.

Webb filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in late July to secure an extra year of eligibility. The dispute centers on the NCAA’s new ‘5-in-5’ rule, which allows five seasons of competition within a five-year period. Webb and nearly 400 other athletes argue the rule unfairly excludes members of the high school Class of 2022 who exhausted their eligibility under the previous model.

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz noted the uncertainty of the situation, remarking that the team often has to wait for judicial updates via social media to confirm roster availability. Webb, a veteran player with 25 appearances over the last two seasons, has been practicing with the team throughout August.