Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is suing the NCAA over its guidelines that rely junior faculty expertise in opposition to a participant’s eligibility, arguing they unfairly stifle the earnings potential of former junior faculty gamers. 

Pavia, who started his faculty profession at New Mexico Army Institute, has grow to be an SEC star this season whereas utilizing his ultimate season of eligibility with the Commodores. He’s pursuing “short-term and preliminary injunctive aid” via the go well with, which was shared on X by sports activities regulation lawyer Mit Winter.

The lawsuit alleges the NCAA’s guidelines “prohibit the power of athletes who start their faculty soccer careers in junior faculty from having the identical alternative to revenue from NIL as college students who enter an NCAA establishment as freshmen.”

It has been the NCAA’s long-established protocol that any collegiate taking part in expertise — even expertise at a junior faculty or NAIA college — counts in opposition to a participant’s eligibility after they switch to an NCAA college.

Nonetheless, Pavia’s go well with argues that “athletes taking part in soccer outdoors of the NCAA monopoly don’t have any significant alternative to revenue off their title, picture, or likeness.”

Pavia performed the 2022 and 2023 seasons at New Mexico State following his two-year junior faculty stint. Getting into Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Auburn, Pavia has accomplished 62% of his passes for 1,677 yards with 15 touchdowns and simply three interceptions whereas main Vanderbilt’s exceptional turnaround underneath fourth-year coach Clark Lea.

He’s additionally main the Commodores in speeding with 563 yards and 4 touchdowns. Nonetheless, the undersized Pavia is a uncommon instance of a star SEC quarterback who is not seen as a probable high-end NFL Draft decide. Thus, extra collegiate eligibility would possible be his surest path to proceed profiting off his means.