USC offensive lineman DJ Wingfield hires an attorney to fight for 2025 eligibility

USA Today

11-07-2025

Earlier this offseason, USC football picked up a commitment from Purdue offensive line transfer DJ Wingfield. Wingfield was projected to play a significant role for a Trojans offensive line that lost several starters from last season.
At the time, it was assumed that Wingfield had one season of eligility remaining. However, according to a report from On3 Thursday, Wingfield has yet to get a waiver from the NCAA granting him a sixth year of eligibility due to the fact that he started his college career at the junior college level. Per the report, Wingfield is hiring an attorney in his battle for eligibility.
Here is some of what On3 reporter Pete Nakos had to say about Wingfield's situation:
"USC offensive lineman DJ Wingfield is hiring attorney Darren Heitner in his battle to play in the upcoming 2025 season, On3 has learned. Wingfield was believed to have one season of eligibility remaining due to the NCAA waiver for players who have at least one season at a non-NCAA program.
"The Purdue transfer has not been able to secure that waiver to this point, On3 has learned. He previously declared for the NFL draft before entering the portal and transferring to USC.
"The NCAA waiver was issued in December. According to NCAA guidance, if an athlete has time remaining in their period of eligibility to use during the 2025-26 academic year based on relief provided due to impacts of COVID-19, they can return for another season provided that they used at least one season at a non-NCAA institution.
"Wingfield is now bringing in Heitner, with the expectation that he will file a suit for an injunction, which would allow him to play this fall if granted. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive lineman started his career at El Camino Junior College, where he played 22 games."
USC is certainly hoping that Wingfield is able to get this issue sorted out and be ruled eligible for the 2025 season. Otherwise, the Trojans would lose one of their projected starting offensive linemen just a few weeks before the start of fall camp, which would be a major blow to the team.