Federal Judge Denies College Football Players Fifth Season

A federal judge has denied a preliminary injunction that would have allowed Vanderbilt senior linebacker Langston Patterson and four other Division I football players to compete in a fifth season in 2026. The ruling upholds the NCAA's Five-Year Rule and Redshirt Rule, which typically restrict players to four seasons of eligibility within a five-year period. U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell Jr. found that Patterson and his group did not sufficiently establish antitrust arguments necessary for an injunction.

Patterson argued that players should have five years to play, noting they can participate in practices and other activities for five years. The core antitrust claim was that NCAA members conspire to prevent players from playing a fifth season, allegedly restricting their ability to benefit from the college sports labor market. Judge Campbell acknowledged the potential financial benefits of a fifth season, especially with NIL deals, but concluded the case requires more factual analysis before any NCAA rule changes could be justified.

The NCAA defends its current eligibility rules, citing potential negative impacts