5 for 5 Rule Injunction
By Anthony Doria, FM88 Sports
Aug. 5, 2026
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. (WMUL-FM) — A judge in Colorado has granted a class-wide preliminary injunction that orders the NCAA to allow all athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to obtain a fifth year of eligibility under the new “5 for 5” rule.
For context, the new “5 for 5” rule was passed by the NCAA in June of this year. It allows all athletes to have 5 years of eligibility from when they start college or the semester they turn 19.
While it seems simple enough, the new rule did come with fights and controversies. The main group that fought back was the high school class of 2022 (2026 college graduates). Several lawsuits by this class were filed in various states, stating that they were the only group that would not get a fifth year of eligibility since they already graduated before the rule was put into place.
Everything seemed to be quiet until a major bombshell was dropped Friday night.
Judge Charlotte Sweeney, a US district judge in Colorado, announced a preliminary injunction for the high school class of 2022 that ordered the NCAA to allow these athletes to continue their playing career with their fifth year.
The association also must pass the waiver to allow all these athletes to play and immediately lift the ban, as they can not reject or decline the order.
A preliminary injunction is an order that essentially pauses or “freezes” a ruling since lawsuits can take a while to finish. In terms of this case, the ruling makes the NCAA unable to punish any players, essentially letting them return to their sports without punishment from the governing body.
It is worth noting that this decision is not a final one; it is simply temporary to allow these athletes to play out their fifth year and not get punished while the full lawsuit goes on. It also is not a guarantee that any athletes can return, as many rosters may have already been filled and the team may not have an open spot for them.
In response to this, the order states the NCAA will open the portal from Aug. 3. to Aug. 10 to give athletes time to find a team they can play
for.
The NCAA is expected to file an appeal to the decision soon, but for the time being, 2026 graduates will have no punishment if they return to college.
In regards to Marshall, many big-time athletes can return if they choose. Meredith Maier, Peyton Ilderton and Blessing King were all big parts of the 2026 WNIT Championship team for basketball, and their return can significantly help the team keep their high level of play up
Bryce Blevins and Cam Harthan can return to baseball. Blevins has been the Friday night starter for multiple seasons and last season moved into first all-time in wins for a pitcher in Marshall History. Him returning will help the pitching staff, which lost players in the transfer portal.
Harthan looks to continue to be a big piece in the outfield.
Bailey Fisher has been one of the best players on the women’s soccer team. After the team returned to postseason play last year, her return will certainly help the team build off of last year’s success.
Johanna Strom has been a star in Tennis, as the team made a great run all the way to the Sun Belt tournament final last year. She has been one of the best in the conference as well and will look to help the Herd repeat last season’s run.
Paige Simpson is a multi-year starter for Marshall softball and looks to help the team after a historic run to the NCAA tournament last season.
Ryan Holmes and Momo Diop both played significant minutes for men’s soccer last year, and both of them returning can help give meaningful veteran experience for one of the best soccer teams in the nation.
Hannah Wyler returns to track and field, a team that has been on the rise in recent years.
Perhaps the biggest player that can return is Booggie Trotter in Football. He had five picks last year, which was in the top in the entire country, and had the fifth-best passer rating when targeted in the Sun Belt last year (66.5). Trotter will certainly be a big boost to the defense if he returns.
It is no guarantee these players will come back or if they will be allowed to return.