Jackson State football 5th-year players who sued NCAA warming up vs Tennessee State

NASHVILLE — Jackson State football fifth-year players B.J. Washington, Reid Pulliam, Tymon Wells and Kazarius Bowie, all of whom recently received a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, are warming up for the first game of the season.

Jackson State opens its season against Tennessee State at FirstBank Stadium on Aug. 29 (7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+).

The four players filed a lawsuit Aug. 25 against the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility and were granted a TRO on Aug. 27. The players' lawsuit challenges the NCAA's application of its new eligibility model that grants athletes five years of eligibility.

The players were initially made eligible on July 31 by a ruling made by U.S. District Court of Colorado judge Charlotte Sweeney for Class of 2022 athletes. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit granted the NCAA a stay of Sweeney's injunction on Aug. 21, making the players ineligible.

Washington, Pulliam and Wells were starters in 2025, with Pulliam making the All-SWAC first team.

Pulliam led JSU with 74 tackles and was second with 10 tackles for loss. He also recorded three pass breakups, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three quarterback hurries.

Washington finished with 50 tackles, the fifth-most on the team, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and six pass breakups.

Wells recorded 28 tackles with five tackles for loss, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.

Bowie played in 11 games as Wells' backup, making two starts. He totaled 13 tackles and three quarterback hurries.

Wide receiver Jaden Lockhart is also warming up for the game after being granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA on Aug. 24.

The sixth-year player was at Division II schools Catawba College and Johnson C. Smith. After an injury limited him to three games in 2023, Lockhart transferred to Arkansas, where he attempted to walk on but did not make the team.

He received a medical hardship waiver for 2023 and argued that the 2024 season should count as a redshirt year because he did not play football that season.

Lockhart is the older brother of JSU starting quarterback Jared Lockhart.

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State football 5th-year players who sued NCAA warming up vs Tennessee State