NC State defensive lineman KaTron Evans, who began his college career at Jackson State, has picked up a temporary victory in his legal battle with the NCAA over his eligibility for the 2026 football season.
A federal judge ruled Monday that Evans can immediately participate in football activities with NC State for the next 14 days while his lawsuit against the NCAA continues. The temporary order runs through Aug. 24. That allows Evans to practice with the Wolfpack during a critical stretch of preseason camp.
The ruling does not guarantee that Evans will be eligible to play for NC State this fall. The Wolfpack does not play during the 14-day window, meaning another decision will be needed before Evans can appear in a game.
Still, it gives the former HBCU standout valuable practice time while the court considers his case.
Evans challenges NCAA eligibility ruling
Evans filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA last week after his request for an additional year of eligibility was denied.
His college career dates back to 2021. He arrived at Jackson State as one of the highest-rated recruits to sign with an HBCU during the Deion Sanders era.
The Baltimore native had originally signed with Tennessee before being released from his National Letter of Intent. The four-star defensive tackle then committed to Jackson State in May 2021. Another highly regarded prospect to a recruiting class that helped change perceptions about the type of talent HBCUs could attract.
Evans was part of a Jackson State program that quickly became the dominant team in the SWAC. The Tigers went 11-2 and won the conference championship during his freshman season in 2021 before going undefeated in the regular season the following year.
His path after Jackson State eventually took him to Marshall before he transferred to NC State for the 2026 season.
The problem was eligibility.
Evans redshirted during the 2022 season and missed the entire 2023 campaign. He is seeking another season from the NCAA, arguing that circumstances surrounding his collegiate career should allow him to compete in 2026. The NCAA denied his waiver, prompting Evans to take the issue to federal court.
NC State gets Evans back on the field — for now
Monday’s ruling gives Evans immediate relief without settling the larger dispute.
For NC State, that matters because Evans can now take part in practices and continue preparing as though he will be available this fall. The veteran defensive lineman joined the Wolfpack after playing at Marshall and was expected to provide experience and size along the interior of the defensive front.
Had the court declined to intervene, Evans would have continued missing valuable preseason preparation while his case moved through the legal system.
Instead, he has two weeks to practice while the lawsuit proceeds.
Whether those practices eventually lead to snaps in an NC State uniform remains unresolved.
The temporary order expires Aug. 24, just days before the Wolfpack begins its season. That makes the next stage of the case far more consequential than Monday’s decision.
Another eligibility battle heads to federal court
Evans’ case also arrives during a period in which the NCAA’s eligibility rules are facing increased scrutiny from athletes and the courts.
College athletes have increasingly challenged NCAA restrictions through litigation, particularly as the transfer portal, NIL and other changes have transformed the traditional structure of college athletics.
Evans is now part of that larger fight.
For Jackson State fans, his case also provides another reminder of how far players from Sanders’ early recruiting classes have traveled.
Evans arrived at Jackson State as a four-star prospect when landing players with that recruiting profile at an HBCU was still considered unusual. Five years later, he is trying to extend that college career at an ACC program.
First, however, KaTron Evans has to win the right to finish it.
For the next two weeks, at least, he’ll get the opportunity to prepare with NC State while a federal court determines what comes next.