Virginia QB Chandler Morris denied 7th year of eligibility

A judge denied Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris' request for a preliminary injunction in his quest for a seventh season of eligibility.

After the NCAA denied the 25-year-old player's waiver request and his subsequent appeal earlier this year, Morris sued the NCAA in Charlottesville Circuit Court in February seeking to play in 2026.

The NCAA released a statement Thursday saying it was pleased by the court's decision to protect the integrity of collegiate competition.

"As additional lawsuits challenging common-sense, academically-tied eligibility rules are filed, the NCAA will continue to defend against attempts to rob high school students across the nation of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create.

"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."

Attorneys for Morris claimed he was wrongly denied a waiver from the NCAA for his 2022 season at TCU, in which he sustained a knee injury in the season opener. He returned later that season to play three games as a backup.

Morris' lawyers said those appearances off the Horned Frogs' bench were part of a medically prescribed treatment plan for mental health.

The NCAA argued that Morris failed to prove he had suffered an "incapacitating physical or mental circumstance."

In his lone season at Virginia in 2025, Morris guided the Cavaliers to 11 wins and an appearance in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. He passed for 3,000 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 14 games.

Morris appeared in 46 games at four schools: Oklahoma (2020), TCU (2021-23), North Texas (2024) and Virginia.

The Cavaliers are preparing to move forward with transfer quarterbacks Beau Pribula (Missouri) and Eli Holstein (Pitt).

The decision in the Morris case is another win for the NCAA in legal challenges to its eligibility rules. In February, a Tennessee judge denied Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar's request for a preliminary injunction to keep playing for the Volunteers.

--Field Level Media