STARKVILLE — West Virginia defensive lineman Eddie Kelly Jr. committed to Mississippi State football, he confirmed to the Clarion Ledger on Aug. 25.
He received a temporary restraining order on Aug. 21 from a lawsuit filed against the NCAA in the Circuit Court of Monongalia County, West Virginia, according to documents obtained by the Clarion Ledger.
However, the order only granted access to the transfer portal, and not an extra year of eligibility which the 6-foot-5, 288-pound Kelly needs in order to play for the Bulldogs. His eligibility is contingent on the Wisne vs. NCAA court case in Colorado.
That case in Colorado gave all high school class of 2022 players, which includes Kelly, an extra year of eligibility on a preliminary injunction on July 31 after they weren't included in the NCAA's new age-based model. The NCAA has since appealed and received a stay on Aug. 21, the same day Kelly got his temporary restraining order to enter the transfer portal, to make the players ineligible.
Kelly's lawsuit against the NCAA was filed Aug. 13 with teammate Oliver Straw. A hearing for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for Sept. 8.
Mississippi State's season begins Sept. 5 (6:30 p.m., ESPNU) against Louisiana-Monroe at Davis Wade Stadium.
The complaint said Kelly and Straw both wanted to return to West Virginia but were told by the school that roster space may not be available.
The temporary restraining order states Kelly and Straw should be allowed to enter the transfer portal with preserved eligibility for the 2027 season if they are unable to find a team this season. It also enjoins the NCAA from enforcing its rule of restitution that could punish Kelly, Straw or any teams that play those players.
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