Colorado linebacker Reginald Hughes is taking significant steps to secure an additional year of eligibility through a legal challenge against the NCAA. His agent, Hutton Reed, the CEO of Package Deal Sports, confirmed on Monday that they will file a “Pavia-style lawsuit” on Hughes’ behalf. This approach aims to contest the NCAA’s policy that counts junior college seasons against eligibility for NCAA programs.
Hughes, who previously starred at Jacksonville State, transferred to the University of Colorado ahead of the 2025 season. He has one year of eligibility remaining after starting his collegiate career at Northwest Mississippi Community College. During the 2025 season, he played under head coach Deion Sanders, appearing in 12 games and making seven starts. Hughes recorded a total of 56 tackles, four quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery.
The rationale behind the lawsuit stems from a similar case involving Diego Pavia, a quarterback at Vanderbilt. Pavia filed a lawsuit in federal court in November 2024, arguing that his tenure at New Mexico Military Institute should not count against his NCAA eligibility. After successfully obtaining a preliminary injunction, Pavia was allowed to compete in the 2025 season for the Commodores. This precedent has encouraged Hughes and his representatives to pursue a similar path.
Hughes previously earned recognition as a first-team All-Conference USA selection while at Jacksonville State, where he amassed 83 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and six quarterback hurries. His talent was evident early on, as he was rated the top junior college linebacker in his class by 247Sports following his stint at the JUCO program.
In discussing the lawsuit, Reed expressed optimism about the outcome, saying, “Despite declaring, we are going through the process of obtaining this extra year. I feel very confident everything will work out.” The agency plans to challenge the NCAA’s existing rules, which they argue unfairly penalize players like Hughes who have transitioned between different levels of college football.
The case highlights ongoing discussions about athlete eligibility and the complexities of NCAA regulations. As more players navigate the challenges of transferring between programs, the implications of such lawsuits may reshape the landscape of college sports.
With the momentum behind Hughes’ case, the outcome could have far-reaching effects not only for him but also for other athletes in similar situations. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the developments surrounding this significant challenge to NCAA policies.
