We got the verdict on Wednesday, but it raised many questions regarding the NCAA. If you didn’t know, Diego Pavia launched a lawsuit against the NCAA in November 2024. There was no monetary implication to this lawsuit, but Diego Pavia alleged that he should be getting another year to play at the college level. The QB had spent 2 years at the JUCO level, then followed by 2 years at FBS level in New Mexico and 1 year at Vandy. According to Pavia, he should be allowed to play another year at the college level, but the NCAA rules prevent that. Judge William Campbell sided with Pavia against the NCAA rules, and an injunction was imposed, allowing the quarterback to return to Vandy for another season.

But now, here is the thing. The NCAA has yet to challenge this ruling. This feels odd. In general, the NCAA is always a step ahead at not allowing anyone to break their set of rules, but could it be that this specific incident does them more favor than harm? “The NCAA could give a sh-t less if it ain’t about money… NCAA was perfectly fine with this judge’s ruling… It allows NCAA four-year institutions to keep their students in a bubble, which is the portal, right?” Coach JB pointed it out on the latest episode of his show. So if the player sticks around for another season and maybe, perhaps, hits the transfer portal. How does it help the NCAA?

If Pavia had left the FBS level this year, then the NCAA would’ve lost out on the FTE (full-time enrollment). Not only that. The NCAA also stands to lose out on the financial aid money or the grant money as well. Now, this is an interesting scenario.

See, what Coach JB points out does have some value to it. When the entire ruling happened, the NCAA pretty much did nothing but issue a random statement. “The NCAA is disappointed in today’s ruling,” the statement had mentioned.

We all already know how much the portal and the NIL have changed college football, right? It has its bad side (that alleged Micah Hudson $700k NIL demand scene) and good side (how Travis Hunter is using his NIL money to pay for more than 11 players) and for now, it just looks like the NCAA wants to play the safe and “profitable” route. But then again, this entire debacle is going to have a massive ripple effect, and it looks like another scenario has already started.

Texas Longhorns HC fires his shot

Out of all the people to call out this entire thing, we didn’t expect Steve Sarkisian to be on that list. When Josh Newman asked Sark about the ruling and what he thought about Diego Pavia getting another year, the Longhorns HC wasn’t exactly happy.

“I totally disagree with the NCAA’s determination on this,” Sarkisian mentioned. He kind of makes sense. Starting at JUCO and then transitioning to the FBS level is the norm. The NCAA clock starts ticking the moment a player hits the team on the JUCO level.

If it wasn’t formatted that way, then like Sark pointed out, “We’re going to have guys 28, 29-years old playing college football. Like, what’s the point, man?” Pavia got his 2nd W this year, so kudos to him. However, do you think other athletes will follow his road and launch a lawsuit against the NCAA?