Judge Granted Alabama State Players Restraining Order
A Montgomery circuit judge cleared two football players to compete while their lawsuit against the NCAA proceeds.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Football
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Montgomery circuit judge Greg Griffin issued a temporary restraining order on September 29, 2026, allowing Detrick Jones and Kanye Varner to play for Alabama State. The athletes initiated legal action against the NCAA, contending that they were unfairly excluded from the organization's eligibility transition rules.
Why it matters
The judge ruled that missing playing time constitutes irreparable harm to the student athletes. The players argued their exclusion from the five-for-five eligibility transition rules prevented them from competing during the 2026-27 season.
The NCAA five-for-five eligibility system grants athletes five years to complete five seasons of play. Detrick Jones recorded 24 tackles in 9 games during 2025, while Kanye Varner recorded 6 tackles.
The players
Detrick Jones
He is an Alabama State football player who was part of the 2022 recruiting class.
Kanye Varner
He is an Alabama State football player who joined Detrick Jones in filing the lawsuit.
Greg Griffin
He is the Montgomery circuit judge who presided over the legal filing.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association governs eligibility rules for intercollegiate athletics.
Alabama State University
This is the Montgomery-based institution where the athletes seek to continue their playing careers.
The details
Judge Greg Griffin signed an amended order permitting the two players to participate for Alabama State despite their eligibility disputes with the NCAA. The plaintiffs filed their complaint on September 28, 2026, claiming the NCAA transition distinction unfairly impacts athletes whose eligibility periods extend into the current season.
Timeline
The players were part of the 2022 recruiting class.
The lawsuit against the NCAA was filed on September 28, 2026.
Judge Greg Griffin signed the temporary restraining order on September 29, 2026.
A hearing for a preliminary injunction is set for October 7, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This litigation highlights ongoing friction between student athletes and the NCAA over eligibility transitions that impact roster availability. The outcome of the October hearing will determine if these players remain eligible for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The temporary order ensures Jones and Varner can contribute to the Alabama State roster for at least the next 10 days. The pending injunction hearing will dictate whether these athletes are cleared for the rest of the 2026 season.
The takeaway
This case underscores the legal complexity of athlete eligibility in the current collegiate sports landscape. Athletes and institutions continue to navigate these rules as they transition through multi-year eligibility windows.
What happens next
The court has scheduled a hearing for a preliminary injunction on October 7, 2026, to determine the future eligibility of the players.
Further reading
For more on collegiate athletic regulations, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Al.
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