After an offseason full of challenges to the NCAA’s classic four-year eligibility model, the organization finally notched a major legal victory on Wednesday.
That occurred as Seventh Circuit judges ruled in favor of the organization against Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean. The veteran cornerback had filed a lawsuit against the NCAA back in February, petitioning for an added year of eligibility after he began his career at D-II Grand Valley State. While Fourqurean was granted a preliminary injunction, which had many assuming he would suit up for 2025, the NCAA appealed that decision. It then won the suit on appeal, severely jeopardizing Fourqurean’s status for the upcoming 2025 season.
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Here is more on the ruling and what it means for the Badgers in 2025.
Keeping focus on the NCAA and what it means for its governance over college athletics — power that has mostly vanished over the last half-decade — here is the organization’s full statement on the ruling.
The NCAA and its member schools strive to provide world-class athletics and academic experiences for student-athletes that foster lifelong well-being. The member-approved rules, including years of eligibility, are designed to help ensure competition is safe and fair — aligning collegiate academic and athletic careers to provide high-level opportunities and benefits to hundreds of thousands of student-athletes. We are thankful the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals today reversed the district court’s decision. Just as the NCAA and its member schools have always done, we will continue to work together to provide unparalleled opportunities for student-athletes and future generations.
Earlier this offseason, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia won a similar court case to Fourqurean’s, though his argued that years spent at the junior college level shouldn’t count against the NCAA’s eligibility model. The Pavia ruling opened the door for former JUCO athletes, including former Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker, to receive waivers for the 2025 season. The Fourqurean decision draws a line between junior college and the D-II or D-III levels. In addition to specifically impacting Wisconsin in 2025, the ruling mostly shuts the door for former D-II players hoping to receive a waiver for an added season.
With Fourqurean’s legal battle now apparently complete, focus will turn to Wisconsin’s pending suit against Miami for tampering during the Xavier Lucas transfer saga.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Nyzier Fourqurean NCAA lawsuit ruling statement
