Judges Block NCAA, SEC Rules, Opening Door for NFL Players to Rejoin College Teams
A Texas judge issued a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, SEC, and commissioner Greg Sankey, granting over 40 plaintiffs an extra year of college eligibility. A Louisiana judge followed with a similar order, allowing NFL players on training camp rosters to potentially return to college football. The rulings come after Power 4 conferences banned athletes with pro contracts from competing, with a hearing set for September 11.
The temporary restraining orders stem from a rule change that granted five years of eligibility but excluded athletes from the class of 2022, who had already used four seasons under prior rules. Over 40 plaintiffs, including NFL rookies like Jordan Hudson and Wesley Bissainthe, now have a 14-day window to compete, with a September 11 hearing pending. The Power 4 conferences responded by banning any athlete with a pro contract, imposing penalties on schools and coaches who defy them.
The rulings apply broadly to NCAA conferences, though specific enforcement remains unclear. The court also ordered a one-week transfer portal opening for this group. Meanwhile, plaintiffs like SMU’s Ahmaad Moses, who never signed professionally, are already practicing, highlighting the uneven application of the new bans.
These rulings could reshape the boundary between professional and college athletics, potentially allowing NFL players to return to campus mid-career. That may pressure conferences to harmonize eligibility rules or face more litigation. Schools might weigh competitive gains against fines and suspensions, while athletes gain leverage in contract decisions. The September hearing could set a precedent affecting future eligibility disputes, though broader impacts depend on how courts and conferences reconcile conflicting rules.