STARKVILLE — Former Mississippi State football players Jahron Manning and Malick Sylla sued the NCAA on Aug. 25 in hopes of gaining an extra year of eligibility to play in 2026.
The petition, filed jointly in Oktibbeha County Chancery Court and obtained by the Clarion Ledger, requests a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunctive relief, permanent injunctive relief and declaratory judgment.
Manning and Sylla are challenging the NCAA’s decision not to grant high schools seniors from the 2022 class a fifth year of eligibility in its new age-based model. It has sparked lawsuits across the country with athletes attempting to return to college on another year of eligibility.
Manning, a safety, was the team’s leading tackler last season while Sylla, a linebacker, led MSU in tackles for loss.
Mississippi State’s season begins Sept. 5 (6:30 p.m., ESPNU) against Louisiana-Monroe at Davis Wade Stadium.
Manning and Sylla began practicing with MSU on Aug. 14 after a preliminary injunction issued in Colorado granted some high school class of 2022 players a fifth year of eligibility. However, the NCAA appealed and was awarded a stay on Aug. 21 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, making class of 2022 seniors ineligible unless they had separate lawsuits.
Manning played two seasons in junior college before one season at Old Dominion, then transferred to the Bulldogs in 2025. He participated in Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp and played for the Indoor Football League for the Orlando Pirates.
Players who signed professional contracts or redshirted were not granted an extra year of eligibility in the injunction from Colorado, but MSU said Manning was still allowed to practice with the team.
Sylla, who spent his first three seasons at Texas A&M, did not sign a professional contract after the 2025 season.
SEC announces pro player ban
The SEC issued a ban on Aug. 25 that would prohibit teams from adding pro players. Commissioner Greg Sankey can impose penalties for teams that do.
It could be challenged in court, too, just like how Manning and Sylla filed lawsuits against the NCAA.
The SEC said the following players cannot rejoin teams if they:
- Previously declared for the NFL, NBA or WNBA draft, and did not appropriately withdraw.
- Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League or WNBA (or affiliate) team.
- Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League or WNBA (or affiliate) roster.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
