A recent NCAA rule change that extends athlete eligibility to five seasons over five years is creating a legal whirlwind across the country. The rule, which took effect for athletes graduating high school in 2023, excludes the Class of 2022, prompting dozens of lawsuits that could allow former college stars—and even players who have already signed NFL contracts—to return to the collegiate ranks.
How the rule works
Under the new policy, a student‑athlete’s eligibility clock starts either when they enroll full‑time or at the beginning of the academic year after their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. The change was intended to bring order to the many redshirt and pandemic‑related extensions that have already stretched eligibility windows to six or seven years for some players.
Why the Class of 2022 is fighting
Players who finished high school in 2022 were left out of the rule’s initial rollout. Those athletes argue they are being denied both continued education and potential name, image, and likeness (NIL) earnings. Their grievance sparked a federal class‑action lawsuit filed by basketball player Brock Wisne, who claimed the NCAA violated antitrust law by excluding his class.
A Denver judge ruled in Wisne’s favor, opening the door for the entire Class of 2022 to return to their former schools. The decision left the NCAA’s transfer‑portal restrictions intact, meaning returning athletes could not immediately enter the portal to seek a new school.
State courts become a battleground
While the federal ruling was temporarily halted by an appeals court, many athletes have turned to state courts for relief. Judges in several states have issued orders allowing players to re‑enroll, and in some cases have even reopened the transfer portal for a limited period. One notable example involves Dae’Quan Wright, an undrafted tight end who tried out with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Wright now has a deal to play at LSU, a rival of his former school Ole Miss, pending the outcome of ongoing legal questions.
The SEC currently bars intra‑conference transfers outside the designated portal window, typically in January. Conference leaders have expressed concern that allowing back‑and‑forth movement between the pros and college could blur the line between amateur and professional sports, raise equity issues, and limit opportunities for high‑school and current college athletes.
Impact on college programs
College coaches and administrators are scrambling to adjust rosters. Football teams, which must finalize lineups soon, face uncertainty about additional talent that could appear mid‑season. Basketball programs are also feeling pressure; for example, Gonzaga recruited two players from the Class of 2022 whose eligibility may be restored.
Legal analyst Sam Ehrlich, who tracks college‑sports litigation, notes that at least 26 eligibility cases have been filed in state and county courts nationwide. Judges have granted restraining orders or injunctions in roughly ten of those cases, while only one decision—concerning basketball player Filip Borovicanin—has been overturned on appeal.
When will the disputes be resolved?
Courts move slowly, and experts expect final rulings to arrive well after the current football, basketball, and baseball seasons conclude. In the meantime, schools must continue to plan for roster fluctuations, and athletes remain in legal limbo.
The situation underscores a broader debate about the balance between protecting student‑athletes’ rights and preserving the traditional separation between college athletics and professional sports. As lawsuits proceed, the NCAA, conferences, and individual schools will need to navigate an evolving legal landscape that could reshape the future of college eligibility.
Original reporting: KOCO Sports (Oklahoma City) — read the source article.
