Federal judge denies injunction for college football players seeking to play a 5th year

A federal judge in Nashville denied a preliminary injunction sought by five college football players aiming to compete in a fifth season. U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell ruled that the players did not demonstrate a likely success in their claim that the NCAA's redshirt rule, which limits athletes to four seasons over five years, violates U.S. antitrust laws. The players, including Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson and several from Wisconsin and Nebraska, have played four seasons without redshirting. Their attorney expressed disappointment at the decision but remains hopeful for change.

The case is part of a broader lawsuit seeking class-action status, involving additional plaintiffs and thousands of current and former NCAA athletes. In contrast, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia received an injunction to play the 2025 season, having started his career at a junior college. Meanwhile, the American Football Coaches Association voted to propose increasing the redshirt season game limit from four to nine games. Attorney Ryan Downton indicated optimism that changes to the redshirt rule are forthcoming