Peck Baxter Secures Preliminary Injunction Against the NCAA
Peck Baxter attorney Michael D. Jewell recently secured a preliminary injunction on behalf of Utah State football player Bryson Taylor, protecting Taylor’s opportunity to compete during the 2026–27 season while his lawsuit challenging the NCAA’s application of its new eligibility rules proceeds.
The case arises from the NCAA’s transition to a new eligibility framework generally permitting student-athletes to compete for five seasons during a five-year eligibility period. Taylor entered college in 2022 and had competed in four seasons before the new rule took effect. His lawsuit challenges the NCAA’s position that athletes in his circumstances had already “exhausted” their eligibility and therefore could not benefit from the new five-season framework—even though, as Taylor argued, the operative 2026–27 NCAA Manual does not expressly contain a categorical exclusion for the 2022 entering class.
Jewell sought individualized preliminary relief for Taylor in Utah. The briefing advanced claims grounded in contract and equitable principles and argued that Taylor's completed reliance on the eligibility status previously in effect should be protected while the underlying dispute is adjudicated. It also challenged the NCAA's application of its transition policy to Taylor under the language of the newly adopted eligibility rules.
Central to Peck Baxter’s argument was the uniquely time-sensitive nature of Taylor’s injury. A college football season cannot be restored through a later award of money. Practices, meetings, game opportunities, team integration, film, coaching, and professional evaluation occur on dates that cannot be recreated once they have passed. As the briefing explained, without immediate relief, the season—and the opportunities associated with it—would continue disappearing while the litigation remained pending.
The court granted Taylor’s motion for a preliminary injunction, providing him protection from the challenged eligibility restriction while the case proceeds.
The ruling represents an important victory for Taylor and illustrates the importance of decisive action in litigation where the passage of time can itself determine the outcome. Michael D. Jewell and Peck Baxter are proud to represent Bryson Taylor in protecting his opportunity to compete and pursuing his claims against the NCAA.
The preliminary injunction is an interim ruling and does not constitute a final determination on the merits. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its particular facts and circumstances.