American Football
Could NFL rookies return to college football?
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The NCAA ruled last month that a fifth year of eligibility would be given to college athletes from the 2022 class onwards.
The five-year count starts the moment a player enrols at a college or the academic year after their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
Several now-NFL rookies declared for the Draft after their four years of eligibility had ended, meaning they could have played one more season with the new ruling.
What this means for NFL rookies
A group of former college football players sued the NCAA in Louisiana and were granted a temporary restraining order by a federal judge on Wednesday, which allows them to enter the transfer portal even though some are currently in NFL training camps.
This group of players includes former LSU linebacker Jack Plyburn, who's competing for a spot with the Buccaneers; former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who's active with the Browns; and former Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson, who's currently with the Seahawks, according to reports.
The ruling made in Louisiana is giving players one week to put their name in the portal, and the NCAA would need to explain to the court why they should not be eligible.
Could this compromise the 2026 season?
While no active NFLÂ player has publicly said they will be entering the transfer portal, it should not be ruled out that it may happen in the next week.
This has become a messy situation in terms of future eligibility for the Draft and NIL rules (which state a player is no longer qualified for NIL deals once they turn pro).
Neither the NFL nor any team have either said anything, but this situation will take loads of time to solve.
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