SPERLING KENNY NACHWALTER SECURES PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION RESTORING NORTHWESTERN CENTER JACKSON CARSELLO'S ELIGIBILITY

June 26 , 2026 – Sperling Kenny Nachwalter successfully obtained a preliminary injunction on behalf of Northwestern University starting center Jackson Carsello, restoring his eligibility to compete during the 2026 college football season.

Cook County Circuit Judge Neil Cohen granted the preliminary injunction after finding that Jackson is entitled to an additional season of competition. Jackson sought relief after the NCAA denied Northwestern’s request for an eligibility waiver related to 2021 ankle injuries that prevented Jackson from playing in games.

The court concluded that Jackson satisfied the requirements for preliminary injunctive relief and restored his eligibility for the 2026 season.

The representation was led by partner Blake Sercye, who commented on the ruling with ESPN.

"We greatly appreciate the Court's thorough and careful analysis of the issues and are thrilled for Jackson to get a final year of eligibility at Northwestern," Blake said. "He represents everything that is good about college athletics."

Jackson started all 13 games for Northwestern during the 2025 season. He earned center of the week honors five times and ended the season on the watchlist for the 2026 Remington Trophy, an award granted to the top center in Division I football.

Read more here: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49144359/northwestern-jackson-carsello-gets-injunction-play.

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