By Brian Murphy, WRAL

JJ Jones (5) North Carolina Tar Heels. North Carolina hosts Campbell University for an in-state out of conference match up. The Tar Heels regained their mojo with a 59 to 7 victory. PHOTO BY: Chris Baird.
Web Editor: Joseph Ochoa

Three former Duke football players and one former UNC football player are seeking an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA in a separate lawsuits filed in Durham County.

The lawsuits claim that the NCAA’s eligibility rules are an unreasonable restraint on competition and would force the players to enter the NFL Draft with a low likelihood of success.

Former Duke players Ryan Smith and Tre’Shon Devones are the plaintiffs in one suit. Former Duke linebacker Cam Bergeron and former UNC wide receiver JJ Jones are the plaintiffs in the other suit. Both suits make similar claims and were filed by the same lawyers.

The lawsuits say that as a result of injuries and unfortunate circumstances both had several of their college seasons cut short. The lawsuit specifically mentions the NCAA’s five-year rule, which allows for four years of competition over five calendar years.

“And were otherwise not afforded the opportunity to reach their full potential in their college football careers up to this point,” the lawsuits read.

Smith and Devones earned $50,000 in NIL payments in 2024 and have been offered up to $150,000 in NIL for the 2025 season, according to their lawsuit.

Jones earned $100,000 in NIL in 2024 and has received offers of up to $500,000 for 2025 should he become eligible, according to his lawsuit. Bergeron received $40,000 in NIL in 2024 and could earn up to $150,000 in 2025.

The lawsuits makes similar claims as one filed in February by former NC State football player Corey Coley Jr.

“The NCAA stands by its eligibility rules, including the five-year rule, which enable student-athletes and schools to have fair competition and ensure broad access to the unique and life-changing opportunity to be a student-athlete,” the NCAA said in a statement to WRAL. “The NCAA is making changes to modernize college sports but attempts to alter the enforcement of foundational eligibility rules – approved and supported by membership leaders – makes a shifting environment even more unsettled.”

Duke defensive end Ryan Smith speaks to the media after a fall practice on Wednesday.
Photographer: Louis Fernandez Jr.

Smith played 56 games across five seasons for the Blue Devils, including 39 in the last three seasons. He had 22 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2024. Smith earned the program’s “Duke Tough Award” in 2024.

Devones was a member of the Rice football team from 2019 to 2023, playing in 35 games (20 starts). He transferred to Duke for the 2024 season and played in 10 games. Devones missed the 2021 season with a leg injury.

Bergeron played four seasons at Duke, playing in 46 games. In his first two seasons, he played 102 snaps and then 313 snaps. He had his best season in 2024 with 83 total tackles, including 9.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks, in more than 1,200 snaps.

Jones played 47 games in four sesaons at UNC, catching 110 passes for 1,794 yards and 11 touchdowns. He played seven games as a freshman in 2021. He had his best season in 2023, catching 46 passes for 711 yards with Drake Maye at quarterback.

A hearing is set for April 22 in North Carolina Business Court.

Source: wralsportsfan.com