NASHVILLE — A federal judge denied a request Thursday for a preliminary injunction by five college football players seeking to play a fifth season this fall.
U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell wrote that the players did not make the case that they likely would succeed on their claim that the NCAA violates U.S. antitrust laws with its redshirt rule that restricts athletes to four seasons over five years.
“Accordingly, the motion for Preliminary Injunction … is DENIED,” Campbell wrote in the 20-page ruling.
Four of the five players testified in a Dec. 15 hearing that coaches wanted them back but would turn to the NCAA’s transfer portal for experienced replacements if they can’t return.
All five have competed four seasons in four years without taking a redshirt year. They are: Vanderbilt University linebacker Langston Patterson; kicker Nathanial Vakos, tight end Lance Mason and long snapper Nick Levy, all of the University of Wisconsin; and University of Nebraska long snapper Kevin Gallic.