Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson and defensive lineman Issa Ouattara have taken a pivotal step by filing a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA. This lawsuit aims to challenge the current redshirt rule, which limits NCAA athletes to four years of play within five years of eligibility.

In a statement, Patterson and Ouattara, along with nearly a dozen other athletes including former Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager, argue that this condition restricts their ability to earn NIL income while playing competitively. “We are not disputing the five-year eligibility window, but the NCAA has no justification for preventing committed players from participating during their fifth year,” remarked Ryan Downton their co-lead counsel.

The suit claims the redshirt policy is an antitrust violation that impacts athletes’ financial opportunities. The complaint highlights the disparity in participation rules across different sports, suggesting that some athletes face harsher restrictions compared to others.

In a related context, Vanderbilt has previously been embroiled in eligibility lawsuits. Last year, Diego Pavia successfully sued for additional eligibility, resulting in significant legal precedent regarding the eligibility clock and NIL restrictions.

As the situation with Patterson and Ouattara unfolds, the NCAA’s policies regarding eligibility and athlete compensation are increasingly under scrutiny.