A new class-action lawsuit against the NCAA could reshape how a season of competition is counted. Ten current and former athletes across multiple sports argue that the current five-year clock should allow five playable seasons, a direct challenge to today’s NCAA redshirt rules.
Here’s everything we know so far about redshirt eligibility and what recruits and families should watch as the case progresses.
What is the Vanderbilt Lawsuit About?
It’s important to understand how revenue sharing differs from outside Name, Image, and Likeness (At the center of the lawsuit are two Vanderbilt seniors, Langston Patterson and Issa Ouattara, along with Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager. These students are in their fourth seasons. Under current NCAA redshirt limits, this would typically be their last year of eligibility unless they appear in no more than four games, take a redshirt, and play in 2026.
In a statement to ESPN, an NCAA spokesperson said:
“The NCAA stands by its eligibility rules, including the five-year rule, which enable student-athletes to access the life-changing opportunity to be a student-athlete.”
However, the plaintiffs remain dissatisfied with the current cap and argue that it unnecessarily restricts development and opportunity. The suit argues that the active rule will “arbitrarily cut short college athletes’ ability to compete”.
This is an antitrust challenge to redshirt limits and wouldn’t erase the five-year clock. However, it asks the court to change how a season is counted.
Further reading: For why “five to play four” still guides decisions today and why single cases rarely change the rulebook, see What Nyzier Fourqurean’s Case Means for the Five-Year Rule.
How Eligibility Works Today and Where Redshirting Fits
- Division I athletes typically have a five-year eligibility window to use up to four seasons of competition.
- If an athlete appears in games, that participation may count as a season.
- Redshirting allows an athlete to keep that season for development, depth-chart timing, or recovery.
Who Qualifies for Revenue Sharing?
Revenue sharing will begin in Division I athletics in 2025-26, with a primary focus on Power Five conferences (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12). These schools generate the most media and sponsorship revenue, giving them the financial flexibility to participate.
However, participation isn’t automatic – each athletic department will decide whether and how to share revenue. Some schools may spread payments across all scholarship athletes, while others may concentrate funds in higher-revenue sports like football and basketball.
Eligibility will vary by school, sport, and team, which means athletes and recruits should ask programs directly how they plan to handle revenue sharing.
Why this matters now
Many athletes and families are wondering what constitutes a season right now. The gray areas usually involve JUCO eligibility, injuries, or a few late-season cameos. Until anything changes, go by the standard rules that exist today.
What Could Change If the Plaintiffs Win?
A win for the plaintiffs wouldn’t erase the five-year clock, but it could change how seasons are counted inside it. In practice, that could mean five playable seasons and fewer one-play burns. Practical impacts could include:
- Cleaner injury decisions without sacrificing a year.
- Clearer answers for JUCO athletes before they move.
- Earlier, more accurate depth-chart planning for coaches and recruits.
What Families Should Do Now (Even If Nothing Changes)
- Start a one-page tracker: Write down when your five-year clock began, jot a quick note after each game you appear in, and flag any redshirt decisions or injuries.
- Flag key moments: Redshirt decisions, medical evaluations, mid-year enrollments.
- Reconcile once per term: Compare your tracker to the school’s official record to keep your redshirt eligibility status crystal-clear.
What Happens Next
Next up are filings and court hearings. Appeals may follow. No policy change takes effect unless a court order or NCAA action explicitly states otherwise.
While you wait for updates, strengthen your recruiting footprint. Start a free NCSA profile so coaches can evaluate your academics, film, measurables in one place.
FAQs
Is there a new NCAA redshirt rule in 2025?
No universal change yet. The class-action lawsuit seeks to expand to five competitive seasons; meanwhile, DII has formally moved a five-season proposal toward the 2026 Convention. Until rules change, plan around four in five.
What exactly are NCAA redshirt rules?
In DI, you generally get five years to use four seasons; a redshirt year preserves a season by limiting participation (sport-specific). Football’s benchmark is the four-game threshold.
Will anything change for this season or the recruitment cycle?
Not at this time. Plan under the existing NCAA redshirt rules. If you’re unsure, email compliance with your start date and detailed appearance history.
Does this lawsuit apply to Division II or III athletes, or just Division I?
Different divisions mean different rules. If you compete outside DI, check your school’s published guidance or talk with your athletics office.
How will I know if anything officially changes?
Your school or conference will issue formal guidance if an order or NCAA action changes season-counting rules.
NCSA will continue to track the ongoing court case and post up-to-date NCAA news on our blog. Check back here for further developments.