Former Mizzou DT Sterling Webb granted fifth year of eligibility in temporary restraining order

Former Missouri defensive tackle Sterling Webb was granted a temporary restraining order from the NCAA on Thursday, making him eligible to play college football in 2026. The ruling by Judge Ellen H. Ribaudo was first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Post-Dispatch also reported that Bob Blitz, the vice chair of the UM Board of Curators, said that Webb will be at practice Monday, Missouri’s first practice of fall camp. Webb’s lawsuit filing stated that “his roster spot is open, and the NIL and revenue-share money is available to him.” Also, Missouri “wants him on the field.” No official statement has been made on whether or not Webb will be on Missouri’s 2026 roster.

Webb, who started eight games for MU in 2025, filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County on Tuesday, requesting a fifth year of eligibility. His eligibility originally expired after he played his fourth season at Missouri in 2025, before the NCAA adopted new eligibility rules in June.

His lawsuit cited the new rules, which give players five years of eligibility to complete five seasons of competition.

The temporary restraining order states that the NCAA is restrained from enforcing any eligibility rules or policy against Webb that would “prevent, penalize or burden his practice, participation or competition in the NCAA” while he seeks a more permanent order regarding his eligibility.

Webb played under the previous rules, where players had five years of eligibility to complete four years of competition. Since Webb never had a season where he had a redshirt or a waiver, he would have another year of competition eligibility under the new rules.

However, the NCAA stated that the newly adopted eligibility rules wouldn’t be retroactive for players, like Webb, whose eligibility expired at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Though the NCAA set out the goal for the new eligibility model to put an end to eligibility lawsuits that have caused instability over recent years, Webb’s ruling is the latest in a series of others that have challenged this.

Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson was also granted a temporary restraining order July 22 in a similar lawsuit. An Ohio judge granted a preliminary injunction for 24 men’s and women’s basketball players, including former MU center Shawn Phillips Jr., suing the NCAA for eligibility July 9.

Webb’s lawsuit filing stated that Missouri will play games in 2026 against other teams, including Texas, with other players who have been granted similar temporary restraining orders for a fifth year of eligibility.

“A level playing field is the very interest the NCAA claims its eligibility rules exist to protect. An order permitting Webb to play delivers that level field,” the filing reads.

Having Webb return to the field would be a significant late addition for Missouri’s defensive line. The Tigers are expected to rely on returning redshirt seniors Marquis Gracial and Jalen Marshall to take a leap in playing time and be the two starters at the position. Having someone with 26 career starts added to the group adds security and depth to the position.

In 2025, Webb recorded 20 total tackles, including 3½ for a loss, two sacks and six quarterback hurries. The St. Louis product transferred to Missouri ahead of his junior season following two years at New Mexico State.