Challenging NCAA eligibility rules, the former Kansas standout fights for a JUCO-based injunction to secure his final season in Orlando and protect a lucrative six-figure NIL agreement.
Former Kansas Jayhawks EDGE Dean Miller has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA to earn an extra year of eligibility to play for UCF, Pete Nakos of On3 reported on Monday afternoon.
Miller and his legal team are fighting for an additional year because he spent one season at the JUCO level for the College of the Canyons in 2021. He is attempting to earn the same injunction that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Diego Pavia and BC Lions defensive back Jett Elad did during their time in college.
Pavia won his injunction in December 2024, which granted him one final year of eligibility to play for Vanderbilt. His case opened the door for other athletes who played at the JUCO level to file lawsuits to continue playing college sports.
Nakos reported Miller's transfer portal entry on Jan. 10 and noted that he was waiting on the court's JUCO decision. The former Jayhawk isn't just fighting for an additional college season; he wants to save a $300,000 deal he inked with the Knights.
His situation has sparked backlash from Texas Tech fans and a social media response from Cody Campbell, a Texas Tech booster. Campbell took to X and quoted UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir's statement during the Brendan Sorsby situation.
He added no further comments of his own. Sorsby, who the NCAA ruled ineligible due to violating the rules against sports gambling, but earned an injunction that would have allowed him to play next season.
However, he and Texas Tech mutually parted ways, ending the legal battles, and Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft. Although Campbell and Red Raiders fans are mocking the Miller lawsuit against the NCAA, the context behind Miller's reasoning for the lawsuit is drastically different.
Just like Pavia and Elad, the 6-foot-5 defensive end is arguing that his JUCO season doesn't count toward his NCAA eligibility. If granted an injunction, he'd don the Black and Gold for the 2026 season.
Miller would bolster UCF's defensive line depth after Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly went to the NFL. He started 11 games for Kansas last season and totaled 29 tackles (13 solo), four tackles for loss and one sack. Against the Knights, he tallied two tackles in the Jayhawks' 27-20 victory on Oct. 4.
Earning an additional year of eligibility would give defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and EDGEs coach Mike Dawson another talent to rush the quarterback next season.
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