Steve Sarkisian rips Diego Pavia eligibility ruling: 'I totally disagree'

The decision by the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee and Judge William Campbell to grant Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia another season of eligibility has sent a shockwave through college sports. Now, one person who has come out against this decision is Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

The injunction that Pavia was granted argued the NCAA’s redshirt rule for Junior College or JUCO players violates antitrust laws. Thus, he will be able to play in 2025. However, a former JUCO player himself, Sarkisian clearly sees issues with this process.

“I totally disagree with the…determination on this,” Steve Sarkisian said. “We chose to go to Junior College football. That’s where we wanted to start and play our careers. So, I don’t understand it at all. We’re going to have guys 28-29 years old playing college football. What’s the point? I don’t get it. I don’t understand it. I totally disagree with it.”

Pavia began his college career at New Mexico Military Institute where he spent two seasons. He then went to New Mexico State for two seasons before transferring to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season. That was already his fifth season after getting a redshirt, as everyone else did, for the 2020 season. Now, Pavia has another year of eligibility, essentially making it like his time at New Mexico Military Institute didn’t count toward eligibility.

“Defendant NCAA, its servants, agents, and employees, and all person acting in active concert or participation with the NCAA are hereby restrained and enjoined from enforcing NCAA Bylaw 12.02.6 to preclude Pavia from playing NCAA Division I football in 2025,” Campbell’s order stated.

The NCAA has the opportunity to challenge the court’s injunction.

While there are plenty of fans and athletes excited about the decision by Judge Campbell, others like Sarkisian have some major concerns about the decision. The NCAA, notably, did pushback on the ruling.

“The NCAA is disappointed in today’s ruling and wants all student-athletes to maximize their name, image and likeness potential without depriving future student-athletes of opportunities,” the NCAA said in a statement. “Altering the enforcement of rules overwhelmingly supported by NCAA member schools makes a shifting environment even more unsettled. The NCAA is making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but a patchwork of state laws and court opinions make clear that partnering with Congress is essential to provide stability for the future of all college athletes.”

The concern that Sarkisian ultimately brought up was the age gap this could create between older and younger players. However, it’s not the only concern. Another major one is how having JUCO players getting those years of eligibility could also limit opportunities for high school athletes as colleges opt to bring in a more experienced and older player.