Federal Judge Issues Injunction for NCAA Fifth-Year Eligibility

A federal judge in Colorado has issued a class-wide preliminary injunction that mandates the NCAA to recognize athletes from the high school class of 2022 as eligible for a fifth season of competition.

This ruling could enable undrafted and unsigned free agents who graduated in 2022 to return to college football in 2026. It specifically benefits former Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson, who is now allowed to play despite having participated in rookie minicamps with the Browns and Cowboys.

However, the decision does not automatically grant quarterback Diego Pavia, a member of the high school class of 2020, the same opportunity, as he has already played two seasons of junior-college football. He may still seek a court order to pursue a fifth season in the NCAA.