McVay Quips About NFL Players Heading Back to College
McVay joked that he felt like he had taken a gummy when asked about players returning to college football. The comment came after Dae'Quan Wright joined LSU following brief NFL stints. A court ruling allowed some athletes to gain a fifth year of eligibility, leading to such moves.
McVay’s remark came after Dae’Quan Wright, an undrafted free agent who briefly signed with the Eagles and appeared on the Browns’ preseason roster without playing, transferred to LSU. Wright was among several athletes who sued for restraining orders to secure a fifth college season. A Louisiana judge granted temporary relief, allowing players who began college in 2022-23 to use that extra year, even though the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule did not grandfather them in. The ruling has created a rare pathway for pros to return to campus.
The situation highlights a growing legal clash between NCAA rules and state court decisions. While Wright’s move is currently legal, it remains controversial because he had already signed professional contracts. The Rams coach’s joking tone underscores how unusual and confusing the eligibility landscape has become for coaches, players, and administrators navigating overlapping rulings.
This story could reshape how athletes view the boundary between professional and college sports, potentially encouraging more players to test NFL rosters while keeping a college fallback. It may also pressure the NCAA to standardize eligibility rules nationwide, as state-level court orders create uneven opportunities. Fans and teams might see increased roster instability, while young athletes gain more leverage in career decisions. However, the long-term legal and competitive consequences remain uncertain, and the ruling’s scope could be narrowed by higher courts.