Judge Charlotte Sweeney Grants Fifth-Year Eligibility to 2022 College Athletes

U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Denver issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that grants a fifth year of eligibility to Division I athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and have already exhausted their four seasons. The order applies only to the extra year and does not affect existing transfer rules, roster caps, revenue‑share limits, or the NCAA’s prohibition on players who have signed professional contracts returning to college.

The NCAA has filed an emergency motion seeking a stay of the injunction, arguing that allowing older players to occupy roster spots could displace younger athletes as the fall semester begins. NCAA President Charlie Baker called the ruling potentially chaotic and urged Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, which would codify NIL, revenue‑sharing and eligibility standards.

Colleges and coaches, including Clemson, Kentucky and St. John’s, are assessing how the ruling might affect their rosters, with some players such as Dillon Mitchell and linebacker Alex Afari Jr. reportedly considering a return to school. The injunction is expected to be appealed, and further clarifications from Judge Sweeney have emphasized that the order does not change other NCAA regulations.