A federal appeals court ruling on Friday, August 22, froze a Colorado court’s decision that would have granted a fifth year of eligibility to members of the 2022 high school class. This decision has left hundreds of college athletes across various sports, including those in the Aiken area, in a state of uncertainty regarding their ability to play this fall season.
The appeals court’s stay on the lower court’s order means that many athletes who were preparing to compete, some even having participated in exhibition games, are now ineligible. This includes individuals like Monty Hunt, who was informed he was no longer eligible the day he was scheduled to begin camp with the Tennessee Volunteers, losing out on a promised $50,000 in NIL compensation and scholarship costs. Similarly, Ocean Rideout, a Portland State soccer player, learned of her ineligibility during an exhibition trip, leading to her suspension from all team activities.
The current situation stems from the NCAA’s new eligibility policy, which allows athletes to play five seasons instead of four, but did not grant an exception for four-year players graduating in spring 2026. With the federal class-action ruling frozen, many athletes are now exploring state-wide lawsuits to regain eligibility, a costly endeavor that not all can afford. Abby Jeffries, a track and field athlete at Long Island University and a named plaintiff in the federal case, described the NCAA’s approach as beyond unfair and heartless, noting she had to take out a $30,000 loan for tuition after her scholarship was revoked.
More than 18 eligibility lawsuits have been filed in 15 different states by over 150 athletes in response to the NCAA’s policy. The NCAA has successfully obtained stays in three cases: the federal court decision, one in Ohio, and another in New Jersey. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has also taken a strong stance, with its presidents and chancellors unanimously opposing the return of professional players to college sports. This follows a Louisiana judge’s decision to grant a fifth year to a group of athletes, including some who signed NFL undrafted free agent contracts, like Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who are expected to join the LSU football team.
SEC bylaws grant Commissioner Greg Sankey and the conference presidents the authority to deem players ineligible, fine or suspend coaches and administrators, and even prohibit programs from competing in league games or championships. Further discussions on these topics are anticipated during a joint two-day meeting of SEC presidents and athletic directors in Birmingham, which began Tuesday, August 26, where a conference-only governance model is being considered.
Attorneys filed a motion on Monday to expedite the federal case in Colorado, aiming for a conclusion before or during the fall sports season. If the case extends to November, it could be too late for fall athletes, though efforts would continue for winter and spring athletes. The inconsistencies in judicial decisions are creating an uneven playing field, with some athletes, like Texas lineman Cole Hutson, maintaining eligibility through local lawsuits after participating in NFL minicamps, while others, like Texas State linebacker Treylin Payne, are now ineligible.
