CLEMSON — A preliminary injunction hearing set for Monday could play a big role in what the 2026 Clemson Football roster could look like.

The Patterson vs. NCAA antitrust case challenges the NCAA’s four seasons in five years rule. If the injunction is granted, then true seniors (played four seasons in four years) will gain a fifth year of eligibility.

What does this mean for Clemson?

It means quarterback Cade Klubnik, running back Adam Randall, linebacker Wade Woodaz, offensive tackle Blake Miller and cornerback Jeadyn Lukus could have the option to return to Clemson for another season.

The Division I Administrative Committee said on Oct. 22, it will “maintain existing eligibility rules as they pertain to student-athletes competing in no more than four seasons of athletics competition in a particular sport over a consecutive five-year period.”

The statement was regarding eligibility rules for student-athletes for the remainder of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years. That ruling came after two Vanderbilt football players ― Langston Patterson and Issa Ouattara ― were among 10 current and former college athletes who challenged the NCAA in a lawsuit in September, seeking to allow athletes to compete for all five years of eligibility.

Monday’s ruling could impact schools all over the country, who are watching very closely because it can change what their rosters could look like in 2026.

If the injunction is granted, Klubnik will have a tough decision to make. Though the Clemson quarterback could be drafted, there is no guarantee where he is going to fall in the draft.

This much is known, the senior did not have the type of year he was hoping for, as he came nowhere close to putting up the kinds of numbers he produced during his junior campaign, when he had 4,100 total yards and 43 combined TDs.

Heading into the Pinstripe Bowl, Klubnik has just 2,857 total yards and 20 TD responsibilities. Obviously, returning to Clemson and possibly having a season like he did as a junior could help Klubnik.

Also, he is likely to make more money through revenue sharing and NIL deals should he return to Clemson then risk the possibility of falling in the draft and making less money.

Randall can benefit greatly by returning for another season as the starting running back. He showed this year he can be a starting running back for a major program. Two years with even more success would go a long way.

The Myrtle Beach native has already rushed for 779 yards and nine TDs this season, while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Randall also caught 31 passes for 246 yards and three more scores.

Woodaz, like Klubnik, could also benefit from another year of college. He is not a high draft pick at the moment and he can make more money by returning to Clemson for one more season than he can as a rookie in the NFL.

The linebacker is currently second on the team with 77 tackles. He has 7 tackles for loss and 4 passes broken up.

Lukus is having a rough 2025 season and would benefit by coming back. He ultimately lost his starting job at cornerback and then saw his playing time decrease with each game.

The senior played just one snap in his last four games against FBS opponents and that came in a 74-yard TD pass by South Carolina, coverage he was responsible for.

Miller, who holds the record for most consecutive starts (51) by any Clemson player in history, will have the toughest decision. Some mock drafts have him as a possible first- or second-round draft pick.