As the NCAA continues to lose rulings challenging the implementation of its new eligibility rules, a new consequence has emerged: Some football players who have participated in NFL training camps—and in some cases, even NFL preseason games—can now return to college.
On Wednesday night, a local judge in Louisiana granted a temporary restraining order allowing 16 former college football players a fifth year of eligibility. A number of these players have participated in NFL training camps and/or appeared in NFL preseason games.
Among the group are three former Ole Miss players: Zxavian Harris participated in NFL training camps, while Dae’Quan Wright and Wydett Williams were listed on the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals rosters, respectively. Others include former Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson, who was listed on the Seattle Seahawks roster, and former LSU linebacker Jack Pyburn, who was listed on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster.
The lawsuit itself wasn’t specifically about the players’ professional participation. Instead, the case was one of many filed challenging the implementation of the NCAA’s “age-based” eligibility policy.
The policy, passed in June, stated players would have five years to complete five seasons of eligibility (up from four) starting on their 19th birthday or when they entered college—whichever came first.
