Jason BatacaoUtah transfer point guard Trey Campbell has sued the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility, according to court documents filed in Utah’s Business and Chancery Court on Sept. 17.
Campbell is currently on the Runnin’ Utes’ roster after transferring from Northern Iowa last month. The guard averaged 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game with the Panthers last season.
“He is enrolled at the University of Utah and rostered on its men’s basketball team,” the lawsuit states. “The only thing standing in the way of Campbell’s final season is the NCAA’s decision to deny him the eligibility he rightfully has under the NCAA’s current bylaws.”
The lawsuit is among dozens of cases recently filed against the NCAA nationwide over a new rule it adopted this year that allows college athletes five years of eligibility.
Former Utah State basketball players MJ Collins Jr., who transferred to Cincinnati, and Kolby King, who transferred to Auburn, were among the athletes who sued the NCAA in Ohio after its eligibility rule changes in June.
After a judge’s ruling, both were deemed eligible.
Campbell’s suit claims — like the others before it — that the NCAA breached its bylaws by not granting the 2022 recruiting class the additional fifth year of eligibility after changing its eligibility rules.
Campbell, according to the court documents, is seeking “declaratory and injunctive” relief so he can play for the Runnin’ Utes.
He also is asking for an order stopping the NCAA from punishing Utah for playing him.
“Campbell is further entitled to a declaration that the NCAA may not penalize, sanction, or take adverse action against Campbell or the University of Utah ... for permitting Campbell to be rostered, receive athletics aid and revenue-sharing payments, enter NIL agreements, practice, or compete during the 2026-27 academic year pursuant to this Court’s order,” the lawsuit states.
Utah’s season is quickly approaching, with its first matchup coming on Oct. 7 in an exhibition against UNLV. The Runnin’ Utes’ first regular season game is against Long Beach State on Nov. 2.
Jason Batacao, a former Oklahoma City resident who graduated from the University of Oklahoma, covers the University of Utah for The Salt Lake Tribune. When he’s not covering the Utes, Jason enjoys watching movies, playing on his Xbox Series X and reading books.