Vandy QB Diego Pavia Wins Landmark Court Case As Junior College Years Will No Longer Count Against NCAA Eligibility In Bombshell Ruling

CBS Sports- Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has been granted a temporary injuction that will allow him to play another season of college football in 20205. The court sided with Pavia's claim that the NCAA's rules on junior college participation counting against eligibility violates antitrust law. 

Pavia played two seasons at New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to New Mexico State and later Vanderbilt. Under previous rules, Pavia was granted the typical four years, plus the blanket waiver Covid season after playing in 2020, which allowed him to play in 2024. 

His representation claims that his NCAA clock should not start during his time at a JUCO, especially in the NIL era. In previous filings, Pavia claimed he could make more than $1 million in NIL and revenue sharing if he returned in 2025. 

Hundreds of Vanderbilt fans rejoiced yesterday when QB Diego Pavia won a court case granting him an extra year of eligibility for the 'Dores next fall.

Pavia set college football ON FIRE when Vandy shocked the world beating Alabama 40-35 in October for the biggest W in school history. Vandy had a special season and is preparing to face Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl.

The ramifications of this court ruling are historic. Let's break down why & the ramifications of the decision.

The #1 thing is that Junior College years are now being disregarded and DO NOT COUNT as years off NCAA eligibility. This is MASSIVE and will have a domino effect.

The Good:

A TON more high school players will now be heading to the junior college ranks ESP because it does not hurt their NCAA eligibility. They will be able to get bigger, stronger & faster in the minor leagues of college football. These 18 year old boys will be 20 year old men when they try to make their move to college football. 

The Bad:

Even more college scholarships will dry up for high school players. And that is already a HUGE problem in the transfer portal era where colleges no longer sign 25 high school players a year. (Many sign just 10-15). I hate this for the high school kids to be honest. Even more of a premium will be on their grades because colleges are looking for any excuse to not take them.

Will this landmark ruling hold up long-term? Only time will tell......