Federal judge grants class-wide injunction affecting NCAA eligibility rules

A federal judge has issued a class-wide preliminary injunction in Colorado, mandating that the NCAA must declare eligible all athletes from the high school class of 2022 for a fifth season of competition. This decision follows the NCAA's previous rule allowing athletes five seasons within four years. The ruling particularly impacts former Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson, enabling him to compete in college football in 2026 despite his involvement in NFL rookie minicamps. For quarterback Diego Pavia, however, the ruling does not provide an assured return, as he graduated with the class of 2020 and played two years of junior college football. Pavia may still pursue legal action to seek a fifth NCAA season.

• 2:13 AMYahoo Sports — Judge grants class-wide injunction in fifth-year lawsuit against NCAA