BLOOMINGTON — A Monroe County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday granted a preliminary injunction that could allow two Indiana University football players to return to the field and affects 97 student-athletes challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s new eligibility framework.
Injunction clears Daley and Wyatt to play while case proceeds
Judge Kara Krothe issued a 37-page order concluding the plaintiffs in the case are likely to succeed on the argument that the NCAA’s revised eligibility rule does not exclude members of the high school class of 2022 from competing for five seasons in five calendar years. The ruling opens the door for IU defensive backs Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt to suit up for Friday night’s game against Northwestern. The two players were held out of IU’s 38-0 victory over Western Kentucky while the eligibility dispute was pending.
What the dispute is about
During the 2026-27 academic year, the NCAA replaced its traditional redshirt policy and various hardship waivers with an age-based system it refers to as the “five-for-five” guidelines. Under those rules, a student-athlete may use five seasons of competition within five calendar years. The organization’s implementation of the new framework took effect Aug. 1.
Plaintiffs contend the NCAA’s written bylaw — Bylaw 12.6 — does not include language excluding athletes from the class of 2022. In her decision, Krothe found the NCAA failed to articulate exclusionary language in the bylaw and therefore cannot retroactively deny the additional year to athletes who otherwise meet the criteria.
"That is the exact language the NCAA would have used to exclude the Class of 2022 from the right to compete for five (5) years. It did not," Krothe wrote.
Judge cites contractual and fairness concerns
Beyond statutory interpretation, Krothe also reasoned the NCAA may be violating contractual duties owed to student-athletes under the prior manual. The judge characterized the decision to single out the 2022 signing class as unfair and lacking reasoned justification, calling the action — in court language included in filings — "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable."
The ruling noted the NCAA has, in other contexts, used explicit language to limit rule changes to athletes who enrolled after a certain date, and pointed to multiple provisions in the new manual that do include limiting phrases. Krothe said the absence of that limiting language in Bylaw 12.6 undercuts the NCAA’s position.
Immediate effects and what happens next
The injunction is preliminary, meaning it preserves the status quo while the litigation proceeds. It does not amount to a final ruling on the merits of the broader case, which could continue through additional hearings, appeals, or settlement negotiations.
- Number of student-athletes involved: 97
- IU players named in the filing: Stephen Daley, Kellan Wyatt
- Rule at issue: Bylaw 12.6 — the NCAA’s new age-based “five-for-five” eligibility framework
- Rule effective date: Aug. 1 (2026)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Monroe County Circuit Court |
| Judge | Kara Krothe |
| Document | 37-page preliminary injunction |
| Immediate impact | Daley and Wyatt eligible to play pending further proceedings |
Local and broader implications
For Indiana University’s program, the ruling provides short-term clarity about the availability of two defensive players for a Big Ten matchup. For the 97 student-athletes named in the complaint, the outcome could determine whether a cohort of players gains an additional season of competition under the NCAA’s reworked eligibility framework.
More broadly, the case raises questions about how the NCAA implements sweeping regulatory changes and whether it must use explicit exclusionary language when altering eligibility for specific classes. Krothe’s opinion underscores judicial scrutiny of administrative decisions where contractual or regulatory promises are at stake.
What the NCAA and IU have said
The preliminary ruling and accompanying findings will likely prompt responses from the NCAA and from affected schools and athletes as the litigation continues. The injunction preserves eligibility for now, but the underlying legal dispute remains unresolved and could progress through appeal.
For IU fans and those following college athletics in Indiana, the decision will be relevant in the short term for roster planning and in the long term if it shapes how the NCAA implements future eligibility policy changes.
Trevor Lindqvist is the state correspondent at WE NEWS covering Indiana higher education and college athletics.
