Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA For Two Time Transfers to Be Eligible Immediately

This could be useful for the Seminoles for a short window of time.

Florida State and other schools waiting on two-time transfer ruling got some big news Wednesday afternoon, as a judge in the Ohio vs NCAA case issued a temporary restraining order against the governing body of college athletics, which allows all two-time transfers still seeking eligibility to be eligible immediately, though it is only until the next hearing on December 27. 

BREAKING: In Ohio vs NCAA, Judge John Preston Bailey issues a temporary restraining order (for the next 14 days) that grants immediate eligibility to any college athletes currently seeking it via a multi-transfer waiver.

Next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 27, 2023.

— Justin Williams (@Williams_Justin) December 13, 2023

This is big for Florida State, as they have been awaiting a ruling on Primo Spears, a two-time transfer from Georgetown, and Duquesne, who had not received a ruling from the NCAA on his waiver. Even if only for the next 14 days, FSU has desperately needed the scoring punch of Spears, and will need it against an SMU team that is top-50 in defensive efficiency. The Seminoles will also be playing against North Florida and Winthrop before the next hearing. 

While Florida State has not yet announced if Spears will play or not, he'll at the very least be allowed to play, and will not be punished retroactively if the court order is reversed on December 27. Whether or not Coach Hamilton decides to play him or not for what could just be three games is up in the air as we stand right now. It's still a very fluid situation with a lot of moving pieces. 

The NCAA released the following statement about the ruling: "As a result of today’s decision impacting Division I student-athletes, the Association will not enforce the year in residency requirement for multiple-time transfers and will begin notifying member schools.” 

We will likely get an announcement at some point from Coach Hamilton on the ruling and playing Spears and will update once we have one. 

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READ MORE: FSU Defensive Tackle Vying For Seventh Year Of Eligibility To Return In 2024

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