The NCAA has issued a blanket waiver granting an additional year of eligibility for current NCAA Division I senior athletes who previously spent one season in junior college or at an NAIA school.

The ruling comes on the heels of a successful court injunction issued last week to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who spent two years in junior college before playing two more at New Mexico State prior to this season. Pavia argued playing in junior limited his NIL opportunities, and was granted an extra season of eligibility for 2025.

Pavia responded to Monday’s ruling via social media:

A number of other similar lawsuits had been filed or were in the course of being filed, leading the NCAA to issue Monday’s waiver. The NCAA also announced it would appeal the Pavia ruling, but would not block any other athletes who wished to return for additional year following the 2024-25 athletic season.

In the state of Alabama, more than a dozen FBS players are potentially affected by the ruling. Among those who could potentially come back for 2025 at their current school or at another (if they enter the NCAA transfer portal) are Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson, Auburn defensive back/return specialist Keionte Scott and offensive lineman Izavion Miller, Jacksonville State running back Anwar Lewis, South Alabama offensive lineman Reed Buys and wide receiver Shamar Sandgren, Troy defensive lineman Raymond Cutts and the UAB quintet of tight end Bryce Damous, defensive lineman Joker Gill, running back Isaiah Jacobs, linebacker Michael Moore and offensive lineman Quez Yates.