East Lansing — It took the threat of legal action, but Michigan State receiver Rodney Bullard Jr. finally got his senior year of eligibility. The NCAA notified Michigan State that it re-reviewed Bullard's eligibility appeal and granted him eligibility for the 2026 season, coach Pat Fitzgerald announced on Aug. 24. Bullard filed for an injunction in an Ingham County court last week, seeking to stop the NCAA from denying him his fourth season of eligibility. A preliminary injunction hearing was scheduled for Aug. 27 in front of Judge Wanda Stokes.
The issue in Bullard's case stemmed around his first year at Division II Valdosta State, when he was a part-time, 17-year-old student and not a member of the football team in 2021. He wound up working out with some team members in spring 2022, joining the team and redshirting that coming fall before appearing in games for Valdosta State in 2023 and 2024 before transferring to play 2025 with Michigan State. However, the NCAA counted the 2021 year against his eligibility due to a transcript issue.
Bullard spent the entire spring and fall up until Aug_ABBR. 24 with an asterisk next to his name on Michigan State's roster, though he has continued to practice the whole time. Now, Bullard is able to contribute to the Spartans' season, where he is the second-most productive returner with five catches including a 71-yard touchdown against Minnesota. Michigan State begins the season Sept_ABBR. 4 against Toledo at Spartan Stadium. cearegood@detroitnews.com @ConnorEaregood This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: NCAA grants MSU's Rodney Bullard Jr.
eligibility ahead of court date
