Top College Football Players Suing NCAA for More Eligibility

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The introduction of NIL (name, image, and likeness) payments in college football has created a new dynamic where the best players can now make as much or more money staying in college than entering the NFL draft. This has led to a rise in lawsuits from players seeking additional years of eligibility beyond the typical 4-5 seasons allowed by NCAA rules, as they no longer feel rushed to leave for the NFL. High-profile cases like Arch Manning, Diego Pavia, Joey Aguilar, and Trinidad Chambliss highlight this emerging issue, which the NCAA will need to address to avoid an influx of player lawsuits challenging its eligibility policies.

Why it matters

The rise of NIL payments has flipped the traditional incentive structure for top college football players, who now have less financial motivation to leave early for the NFL. This is creating a new set of challenges for the NCAA, as players are increasingly turning to the courts to extend their college careers beyond the standard eligibility limits. Resolving this issue will be crucial for maintaining the integrity of the college game and preventing an endless cycle of player lawsuits.

The details

Prior to NIL, the best college football players were incentivized to leave for the NFL as soon as possible to secure lucrative rookie contracts. However, with top prospects now able to earn millions through NIL deals while still in college, many are choosing to stay and develop their skills rather than entering the draft. This has led to a wave of lawsuits, with players like Diego Pavia, Joey Aguilar, and Trinidad Chambliss suing the NCAA to gain additional years of eligibility beyond the typical 4-5 seasons allowed. The most high-profile case is that of Arch Manning, who has two years of eligibility remaining but could earn as much as a top-7 NFL draft pick by staying in college.

• In 2024, Diego Pavia sued the NCAA, challenging how JUCO years count against Division 1 eligibility.
• Joey Aguilar is currently in the final stages of a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an eighth year of eligibility.
• Within the last week, Trinidad Chambliss won his lawsuit against the NCAA and will play for Ole Miss in 2026.

What’s next

The NCAA will need to address this issue of player lawsuits challenging eligibility rules in order to maintain the integrity of the college game and prevent an endless cycle of legal battles.