What's Fair Is Fair - But not in College Football - Mizzou, UT, Ole Miss but not LSU
Sterling Webb, Missouri DT
A judge in Missouri just ruled that Missouri Defensive Tackle Sterling Webb is eligible for a fifth year of college football despite having already played for four years. The NCAA when it established at the end of June this year that players had five years to play five years of football said that this policy did not cover players completing their fourth year this season. The NCAA reasoned that allowing a fifth year this year would unfairly impact an incoming freshman's, and other players, an opportunity to play. Sterling Webb took it to court arguing that this would impact his ability to not only play but would also adversely impact his income from revenue-sharing and NIL compensation. A judge in Missouri agreed with Webb. So far, there has not been even a hint that other teams might refuse to play Mizzou, or vacate wins by Mizzou, or kick Missouri out of the SEC. Maybe the college football powers that be had not had adequate time to consider this possibility. I mean this Missouri judge did just make this ruling yesterday.
Cole Hutson, University of Texas OL
This week UT head coach, Steve Sarkisian, said that it was immoral for an SEC team to play a fifth year senior that had the advantages of NFL experience. Sark explained that this type of player would unfairly displace hardworking college players. It must have slipped his mind that UT Offensive Lineman Cole Hutson went to court in July and convinced a judge that he should be granted a fifth year of eligibility. Hutson had taken part in NFL minicamps with not one, but, two NFL teams. However, he did not sign a contract so naturally his NFL experiences did not technically count. Hence, the NCAA or SEC are not considering expelling Texas from the conference, vacating wins, and teams are not considering refusing to play Texas. Hutson is listed at 6'5" and 308lbs, a ideal size for an NFL lineman. Still, maybe those stats and the fact that he has only a little NFL experience with two teams does not somehow give him an advantage that might displace another college player hopeful, at least in coach Sarkisian's mind.
Trinidad Chambliss, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) starting QB
After replacing injured starter Austin Simmons in September of 2025 Chambliss went on to throw 22 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He threw for 362-yards against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and lead his team to a second game in the NCAA playoffs. Chambliss finished 8th in the Heisman trophy voting. But even though he had played 5 years of college football, he wanted to come back for a 6th year so, he petitioned the NCAA to allow him a 6th year. The NCAA said NO. Eventually after lawyering up Chambliss got the Mississippi Supreme Court to extend his eligibility. Austin Simmons, the starter until he got injured in September, transferred to Missouri where he is expected to be the starter for Mizzou. Sure Chambliss displaced a good and deserving player but some might say that Mizzou is a whole lot better place to be than Ole Miss. And it is possible but not likely that Chambliss did not take a roster spot from a freshman or some other deserving college player. Consequently, Chambliss in his 6th year of college football has a really good shot at the Heisman and a very good chance to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft after the end of this college season. Hmmmm, maybe we should be totally fair and evaluate college players after their fourth year and not allow a fifth year to those that would likely be drafted in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. To me that seems more fair than the current situation of disallowing a fifth year for an undrafted free agent who is unable to make the permanent roster of an NFL team. I am getting ahead of myself. Back on track - Ole Miss, like Mizzou and UT, is not being punished in anyway for the court decision that allows Chambliss a 6th year. No, talk of expelling Ole Miss from the SEC, or vacating this year's wins, and not talk of teams refusing to play Ole Miss.
LSU
LSU's story needs not be retold. There are many stories surrounding LSU's plans to add fifth year seniors who attempted to but were unable to secure NFL team spots. Did any one of the players that LSU is attempting to add have more NFL experience than UT's Cole Hutson? Which of these additions is likely to have a better NFL career than Trinidad Chambliss? Only time will tell. Each of these players that hope to return to college football were unable to secure a living wage in the NFL but returning offers each an opportunity to earn through revenue sharing and potential NIL deals. While this arbitrary decision by the NCAA and SEC has placed the lives of these players in chaos, it has place the reputation and future of the LSU football program unnecessarily in a precarious position. LSU has recruited really good players from high school and from the transfer portal. And if a court has ruled that recruiting these players is legal, why, after refusing to draw the line with other SEC schools, is the SEC drawing the line here and in such an outspoken way?
Is this an indication that Missouri, Texas and Mississippi judges deserve some respect that Louisiana judges do not deserve?
And I don't really follow the Big 10 any more than I have to but how is it that Ohio State has two 7th year players? Ja'Kobi Jackson, seventh year running back and Hunter Welch, seventh year Tight End. Could they have transfer this year and played their 7th year somewhere else?
