Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt quarterback, has taken the NCAA to court, challenging its eligibility rules for junior college (JUCO) transfers. His lawsuit, which argues that JUCO years should not count against Division I eligibility, has sparked significant debate in college football.
With Pavia already playing in the 2025 season under a granted waiver, the case continues to unfold, raising questions about fairness, name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities, and NCAA regulations.
What is Diego Pavia’s background in college football?
Diego Pavia’s college football journey began in 2020 at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college. That season didn’t count toward eligibility due to COVID-19 exemptions.
He stayed at the JUCO level in 2021 before transferring to New Mexico State, where he played two seasons (2022–2023). In 2024, Pavia moved to Vanderbilt, accumulating four seasons of eligibility, five if including the COVID year.
Notably, under standard NCAA rules, 2024 would have been his final season. However, Pavia’s lawsuit contends that his JUCO years should not count against his Division I eligibility, allowing him more time to compete and benefit from NIL deals.
Why is Diego Pavia suing the NCAA?
Diego Pavia filed his lawsuit in November 2024, arguing that the NCAA bylaws unfairly limit JUCO transfers’ Division I eligibility. Typically, athletes get four seasons to compete, regardless of whether they played at a JUCO or Division I program.
Pavia’s case claims that counting his 2021 JUCO season against his four-year limit violates federal antitrust laws by restricting his ability to earn through NIL opportunities at the Division I level.
It is to be noted that a judge ruled in his favour, granting a sixth year of eligibility for 2025, though the NCAA has appealed this decision.
What is the latest update on Pavia’s lawsuit?
As of October 2025, Pavia’s lawsuit remains unresolved despite significant developments. He was granted a waiver to play for Vanderbilt in 2025, and he’s already appeared in five games this season.
However, the NCAA appealed the waiver, likely to prevent it from setting a precedent for future lawsuits.
On October 1, an appeals court denied the NCAA’s motion, stating, “The NCAA gave Pavia exactly what he wanted, a waiver that guaranteed he could play for Vanderbilt in 2025.”
The court dismissed the appeal as moot, but the NCAA’s broader eligibility lawsuits suggest Pavia’s case is far from over.
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