Student-athletes across the country are currently embroiled in an eligibility fight against the NCAA. The athletes, who graduated high school in 2022, are seeking a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new rules. However, the NCAA is countering that the rule only applies to students currently in college from the 2026-27 academic year forward.
Several Tar Heels are caught up in this eligibility fight. The guide below will be updated as to whether or not they are eligible.
YES — Rece Verhoff (football), Ryleigh Heck (field hockey), Dani Mendez (field hockey) and Sietske Brüning (field hockey)
Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Andy Mead
Verhoff, Heck, Mendez and Brüning are currently attached to a lawsuit against the NCAA in Monroe County Circuit Court in Indiana. The quartet joined the case Sep. 14, a week and a half after it was originally filed. They are joined by dozens of others from across the country, growing the suit exponentially from its original roster of eight student-athletes. The athletes won a victory Wednesday, Sep. 23, as Judge Kara Krothe issued a preliminary injunction which will remain in effect “until trial of this case.”
NO — Cameron Fens (men’s basketball)
Image via South Dakota Athletics/Hailey Price
Fens transferred to UNC during the offseason from South Dakota under the impression that he would be eligible to play. So far, that hasn’t come to pass yet. Fens is attached to a lawsuit in the Tennessee Court of Appeals, but the court issued an order in August staying an injunction granted to the student-athlete plaintiffs. The case, which includes former UNC player Jalen Washington, is pending appeal.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
This Week in UNC Sports: October 26-November 1, 2026This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. The week of Halloween means several UNC sports will be wrapping up their […]
UNC Field Hockey: Tar Heels Lose to No. 10 Wake Forest, Beat Appalachian StateUNC split a pair of weekend games as it draws near the end of the regular season. The Tar Heels dropped a hard-fought game to No. 10 Wake Forest on Senior Day at Karen Shelton Stadium Friday, but rebounded Sunday by traveling up to Boone and dominating Appalachian State. Against the Demon Deacons, Ryleigh Heck […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 19-25, 2026This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. October will roll on with another very busy week of Tar Heel sports. […]
UNC Sports: Field Hockey Wins; Volleyball, Women's Soccer Both Lose On the RoadSeveral UNC women’s sports programs were in action Sunday. The field hockey team earned a ranked win at home, while the volleyball team and the top-ranked women’s soccer team both fell on the road to highly-ranked foes. In field hockey, a late goal from Charly Bruder broke a 1-1 tie with No. 13 Syracuse and […]
UNC Sports: Field Hockey, Men's Soccer, Volleyball All Earn ACC WinsIt was a successful Friday evening for multiple UNC sports teams, as the field hockey, men’s soccer and volleyball squads each earned big wins in ACC action. In field hockey, the Tar Heels returned home to Karen Shelton Stadium for the first time in almost a month and celebrated the occasion with a 4-0 win […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 12-18More and more of UNC's winter sports are beginning their seasons as we hit the middle of October, and "crossover season" is upon us.
UNC Sports: Field Hockey Loses at No. 17 Liberty, Volleyball Sweeps Virginia WeekendBoth the UNC field hockey and volleyball teams were in action in the state of Virginia over the weekend. The field hockey team couldn’t follow up a blowout win at Saint Joseph’s Friday with a win at No. 17 Liberty Sunday, falling to the Flames 2-1. The volleyball team, meanwhile, earned two resounding wins at […]
Second-Half Explosion Helps UNC Field Hockey Win at Saint Joseph'sUNC scored six goals in the third quarter to blow the game open at Saint Joseph’s Friday afternoon in Philadelphia, and the Tar Heels won 8-0 for their fourth consecutive victory. It's always sunny when the Heels win ☀️#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/k44jy2Djq3 — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) October 9, 2026 Carolina controlled possession and all […]
Win Streak Rolls On as UNC Field Hockey Shuts Out No. 16 LouisvilleUNC scored two goals in less than two minutes in the third quarter to break a scoreless tie, and the Tar Heels didn’t let up in a 3-0 win at No. 16 Louisville Friday afternoon. Off to the races! Heels keep rolling!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/Qeb6CjBRnx — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) October 2, 2026 The game […]
Are They Eligible? Keeping Up with UNC's Rece Verhoff, Cameron Fens and OthersStudent-athletes across the country are currently embroiled in an eligibility fight against the NCAA. The athletes, who graduated high school in 2022, are seeking a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new rules. However, the NCAA is countering that the rule only applies to students currently in college from the 2026-27 academic year forward. […]
›
