U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey has issued a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction that clears the way for four West Virginia transfers to take the field this season, according to Sam Ehrlich’s report.
The players defensive lineman Jimmori Robinson, running back Tye Edwards, safety Justin Harrington, and wide receiver Jeff Weimer all joined the Mountaineers this offseason after stints at multiple schools. Their lawsuit, Jimmori Robinson et al. v. NCAA, was heard Tuesday in Wheeling, West Virginia, with both sides presenting arguments for about an hour. The judge’s ruling concluded that the NCAA must declare the four athletes eligible for the 2025–26 season.
Each had previously been denied an NCAA eligibility waiver: Robinson in February, Harrington in June, Edwards later that same month, and Weimer in August. The denials prompted the group to file suit in an effort to extend their playing careers.
During the hearing, however, NCAA attorneys raised a separate issue, claiming Robinson failed to meet academic requirements at his former school, UT San Antonio an argument they said could keep him sidelined regardless of the injunction. The judge’s ruling did not address that point.
Robinson arrives in Morgantown after a standout season at UTSA, where he earned AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors with 43 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Over four seasons with the Roadrunners, he tallied 110 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
The decision also allows Edwards, Harrington, and Weimer who had been barred from practicing while awaiting the outcome to fully join the team. Edwards comes from Northern Iowa, where he rushed for 1,557 yards and 11 touchdowns across two seasons, including a 1,000-yard campaign in 2024. Harrington, after stops at Oklahoma and Bakersfield College, most recently played at Washington, logging three tackles in eight games last season. Weimer, who worked his way up from the junior college ranks, shined at Idaho State in 2024 with 75 receptions for 1,016 yards and six scores following earlier stints at UNLV and other programs.
The injunction ensures three of the four are cleared to contribute immediately, while Robinson’s status may hinge on the NCAA’s academic eligibility challenge.
Be the first to comment