Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia Wins Injunction to Play in 2025, Challenging NCAA's Junior College Eligibility Rules

Dec 18, 2024, 11:37 PM

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has been granted a preliminary injunction by a federal judge in Tennessee, allowing him to play college football in the 2025 season. The ruling challenges the NCAA's eligibility rules, specifically the policy that counts junior college seasons toward an athlete's overall eligibility. Pavia, who previously played at New Mexico Military Institute, argued that the NCAA's rules unfairly limit his ability to earn from name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. The judge's decision not only permits Pavia to continue playing but also prevents the NCAA from enforcing its 'Rule of Restitution' against Vanderbilt or any other school that might employ Pavia in 2025. This ruling could potentially open the door for other former junior college players to seek additional eligibility without legal action, although it currently applies only to Pavia.