NCAA makes major eligibility rule change for 2025-2026 season following Diego Pavia ruling, files appeal

A waiver by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors has been granted on Monday, allowing a set of players to remain eligible for the 2025-2026 season. They must have competed at a non-NCAA school throughout their career while also previously being out of eligibility. Now, the NCAA says they can return for one more year.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is the most high-profile example of this waiver, previously being deemed eligible for another year of college football. But now, it applies to athletes across every NCAA sport.

“NEWS: The NCAA Division I Board of Directors has granted a waiver to permit athletes who attended and competed at a non-NCAA school for 1 or more years to remain eligible and compete in 2025-26 if those athletes would have otherwise used their final season of competition during the 2024-25 academic year, and meet all other eligibility requirements (e.g., progress toward degree, five-year period of eligibility),” Darren Heitner said via X.

At the same time, the NCAA has filed a notice of appeal regarding the case involving Pavia. Waivers will be handed out for this specific year but the NCAA appealing the ruling could prevent this from becoming an annual occurrence in college athletics.

“The NCAA has also filed a notice of appeal of the court’s ruling in the Diego Pavia case,” Heitner said.

Pavia transferred to Vanderbilt this season, originally thought to be his final year of eligibility. He spent at the New Mexico Military Institute and another two at New Mexico State. A fifth year was granted due to COVID-19 in 2020, allowing Pavia to play for the Commodores.

Now, Clark Lea will get back the electrifying quarterback for the 2025 season. Everyone in Nashville will be hoping the program’s positive momentum will continue with Pavia under center.

Other coaches from across the country will be happy to see their players return after previously playing JUCO football. Another big name involved could be Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson, previously set to leave Tuscaloosa after two seasons with the Crimson Tide.

This new ruling from the NCAA could have Jefferson fill a key spot for Kalen DeBoer.

Plenty of other examples will be out there and not just in football. Pavia’s court ruling will send a ripple effect through the collegiate sports world next year.