RALEIGH — A federal judge Monday declared NC State defensive lineman KaTron Evans eligible for the next two weeks as his lawsuit against the NCAA makes its way through the legal system.

United States District Judge Louise W. Flanigan of the Eastern District of North Carolina ordered Monday that the NCAA “shall consider and treat plaintiff as immediately eligible to participate in Division I football at North Carolina State University for 14 days up to and through August 24, 2026, unless extended.”

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NC State opens its season Aug. 29 at Virginia. Evans didn’t practice with the Wolfpack on Monday, but has added back to the roster.

Evans filed the lawsuit after the NCAA denied his waiver for a sixth year of eligibility. He previously played at Jackson State, Charlotte and Marshall. Evans redshirted the 2022 season at Jackson State and missed the 2023 season at Charlotte due to academics after the death of several close relatives and friends. Evans says in his complaint that Charlotte didn't "exhaust all options" to assist him during that time period.

“It is my firm belief,” NC State coach Dave Doeren told the court in a written declaration, “that KaTron lost a season of football eligibility due to circumstances beyond his control and that the NCAA’s denial of his eligibility extension is causing him and our team immediate and ongoing irreparable harm.”

In support of his complaint, Evans submitted several recent court victories for players seeking additional eligibility, including Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss who was granted a sixth season.

In ordering Evans immediately eligible, Flanigan wrote that he could be harmed by not practicing, being denied medical treatment and missing other program benefits, including meals.

Doeren told the court that he expects Evans, a 340-pound nose guard, to play more snaps than any other player at his position and that, in his absence, the team is cross-training a defensive tackle at nose guard.

Doeren wrote that Evans’ name, image and likeness compensation is structured such that he received one-third of his annual package in the off-season and two-thirds during the season. 

“His monthly NIL payment was scheduled to increase 50 percent per month beginning in July 2026,” Doeren wrote, saying that “I understand that KaTron relies on this income to send money home to support his family.”

The first hearing in the case is set for Aug. 18 to establish an expedited schedule.

The NCAA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from WRAL.