Georgia's Carter Loflin Drops Fifth-Year Eligibility Lawsuit

University of Georgia golfer Carter Loflin has dropped his lawsuit against the NCAA over a fifth season of eligibility. His attorney, Nik Erramilli, filed Monday to dismiss the case without prejudice, a day after Georgia was required to submit its roster for a season that began the same day in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Why was Loflin suing the NCAA?

Loflin, who reached the U.S. Amateur semifinals last month, sought to return to Georgia for a fifth season after the NCAA introduced an age-based eligibility model in June allowing athletes five seasons within five years. The new model did not cover 2022 high school graduates like Loflin, who completed his fourth season at Georgia this spring.

What happened in court?

Loflin and NCAA attorney Doug Minor appeared before Western Circuit Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard on Friday. Erramilli filed an emergency motion for reconsideration that afternoon, seeking a temporary restraining order ahead of a Sunday roster deadline, but Haggard had told the attorneys not to expect a ruling by then. No ruling came, and the roster deadline passed.

"I do think the law is on our side," Erramilli told the Athens Banner-Herald, part of the USA Today Network.

Erramilli called the case moot now that Loflin cannot play for Georgia this season. Loflin intends to remain at UGA to finish his degree. Erramilli said other athletes pursuing a similar fifth season should file well ahead of their own deadlines rather than count on a favorable ruling in time.