After a legal ruling, it seems that Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide will suit up this season.
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On Saturday, Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court judge Timothy P. McCormick ruled that the NCAA cannot enforce its eligibility rules against McQuaide, granting the quarterback a preliminary injunction to play this season. McQuaide, who is from Solon in Cuyahoga County, motioned to sue the governing body after the NCAA denied his waiver request to play in 2026-27. The initial waiver was filed by Villanova on McQuaide’s behalf.
“Villanova is aware of the court decision regarding Pat McQuaide’s eligibility for the 2026 college football season,” the university wrote to The Inquirer. “We are working closely with the Patriot League and with Pat to determine the appropriate next steps.”
NEWS: An Ohio judge has ruled that the NCAA is barred from enforcing its eligibility rules against McQuaide or punishing Villanova University, making McQuaide immediately eligible to play Division I football for Villanova in the 2026–2027 season. pic.twitter.com/q7vVsJzlyB
— Dylan Johnson (@bydylanjohnson) August 1, 2026
McQuaide, 23, alleged that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during his junior year of high school severely disrupted his development and recruitment. Because of this, McQuaide landed at Kent State University as a walk-on. At Kent State, McQuaide redshirted and later transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. After one year at Mississippi Gulf Coast, McQuaide played at Nicholls State for two years and Villanova last season.
The legal question around McQuaide’s eligibility pertains to his 2022 season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Villanova requested that this season should not count against McQuaide’s allotted eligible seasons, as Mississippi Gulf Coast is a junior college program and not under the purview of the NCAA. Additionally, McQuaide landed at the community college because of “extreme circumstances outside the normal recruiting process and outside of McQuaide’s control.”
McCormick cited past legal decisions involving issues of student-athlete eligibility, such as the case of former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and recently adopted NCAA bylaws in his decision to grant a preliminary injunction.
The decision also noted that Villanova is holding a spot on its roster for McQuaide to return as the team’s starting quarterback. With this, it is expected he will return to the Wildcats. Last season, McQuaide passed for 3,123 yards and 25 touchdowns in 15 appearances.
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