Judge upholds eligibility for Missouri's Webb

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  Mark SchlabachSep 2, 2026, 01:03 PM ET

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  • Senior college football writer
  • Author of seven books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

A St. Louis County Judge on Wednesday denied the NCAA's motion to dismiss a temporary restraining order that gave Missouri defensive tackle Sterling Webb a fifth season of eligibility.

Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz learned the news while participating in an SEC coaches teleconference.

"Yeah, I just got a tweet that says a TRO making DT Sterling Webb eligible remains in place after a St. Louis County Judge this morning denied the NCAA's motion to dismiss," Drinkwitz said.

St. Louis County Judge Ellen Ribaudo also added the University of Missouri and its Board of Curators as defendants. The order temporarily prevents them, along with the NCAA, from declaring Webb ineligible for competition during the 2026-27 season because of the NCAA's new five-for-five rule, withholding him from practice or competition, declining to certify his eligibility or withholding or reducing his revenue-share or NIL compensation.

"So, it looks like we're ready to go," Drinkwitz said. "I mean, I don't know what to tell you. Just waiting for tweets. That's all I do is sit around and wait for tweets. Ya'll wait for injury reports to tell you who's in and who's out. We wait for tweets from judges, man. What a system we've got here."

Webb, a fifth-year senior, played the previous two seasons with the Tigers. He transferred to Missouri after playing two seasons at New Mexico State, where he was named a first-team Conference USA selection in 2023.

Webb started eight games for the Tigers in 2025 and had 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries.

The NCAA changed its eligibility rules in June, moving to a system where athletes can now compete for all five seasons during a five-year time span. The change created a group of outgoing seniors who were not eligible to play in 2026-27 based on the rules in place when they finished their college careers last season.

The NCAA's Division I board of directors decided not to grant those players an extra season, saying it would unfairly take away opportunities from incoming freshmen.

Earlier this week, Drinkwitz described the current climate in college football as a "complete clown show."

The Tigers open the season against FCS program Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

"I'm just trying to figure out who's eligible for our games -- tomorrow," Drinkwitz said.