Class of 2022 College Athletes: What the Wisne Eligibility Ruling Means for You Now
If you're a college athlete from the high school Class of 2022, this week's court ruling directly affects your eligibility for the coming season. On Friday, Aug. 21, the Tenth Circuit stayed the nationwide injunction in Wisne v. NCAA, pending the NCAA's expedited appeal. That means the extra season of eligibility many Class of 2022 athletes expected to use this fall is, for now, off the table under NCAA rules, unless you're covered by a separate court order.
What just happened?
Back in July, a federal judge in Colorado ruled that the NCAA couldn't stop Class of 2022 athletes who had used four seasons of competition from playing a fifth. The NCAA appealed and asked the Tenth Circuit to pause that ruling while the appeal plays out. On Friday, the appellate panel agreed, finding the NCAA was likely to succeed on the merits. The injunction is frozen, not overturned, while the case continues.
Does this mean I've lost my eligibility for good?
Not necessarily. Courts in several states have granted individual athletes relief under state-law, and those state-court orders are unaffected by Friday's ruling. That relief, however, only protects the athletes who actually sought it. It doesn't apply automatically to every Class of 2022 athlete, and with fall competition underway in most sports, the window to act is narrow.
What should I do right now?
Check whether your case is affected: if you exhausted four seasons of Division I competition and don't already have your own state-court order, you are currently ineligible under NCAA rules.
Talk to your compliance office about how your school is applying the stay.
Understand your options before assuming the door is closed — individual legal relief is still possible in some states.
Move quickly. Practice, roster decisions, and enrollment deadlines don't pause for litigation.
For background on how eligibility rules intersect with broader athlete rights, see our Eligibility resource page.
We represent individual college athletes in eligibility disputes across the country. We can help you assess your options, identify the right court, and move fast when judicial intervention is the only path forward. If you're a member of the Class of 2022 and Friday's ruling has made you ineligible for 2026-27, reach out for a confidential consultation. Time is the biggest constraint right now, not your options.
