The college football world has been thrown a few curveballs this spring and summer. It all started when a Texas judge stunned college sports by granting Brendan Sorsby an injunction. Though Sorsby ultimately left Texas Tech following massive backlash, the ruling opened a can of worms.
Then former Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Cole Hutson sued the NCAA for eligibility after going through the NFL Draft process. The question keeps getting asked: What’s next? Well, that was answered Wednesday.
Multiple reports confirm that a Louisiana judge has ordered a temporary restraining order for 16 current NFL rookies. In essence, they have been granted a fifth year of eligibility and can resume their collegiate playing careers.
MORE: Diego Pavia could have path back to college football, but it won’t be easy
Oh, what a tangled web the NCAA weaves. This ruling isn’t its fault, but it continues to expose how the organization has lost control over its own jurisdiction. Every decision it makes seems to be challenged, and it continues to lose.
Auburn Tigers linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. (0) celebrates his sack with defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Georgia Bulldogs defeated Auburn Tigers 20-10. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Fans, media and the NCAA are left asking themselves the same question once again…
What is next?At this stage, players just have to find a judge willing to rule in their favor and give them what they want. Gamble on your own while breaking federal law and NCAA bylaws? No worries. Spend eight years in college, now closer to 30 than 18? Keep on playing!
Want to go into the NFL but don’t like where you were picked, drafted or even if you went undrafted? Come on back to your collegiate career.
MORE: LaNorris Sellers takes on internship instead of course load for 2026 college football season
At this point, what’s stopping Jonnu Smith from suing for eligibility and going back to school to reunite with Arthur Smith? Are there any retired NFL players who could sue their way back into college football? Does Cam Newton want to go back to Auburn and relive those glory days?
ROTC members unfurl a 70 yard long United States Flag before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Is anything possible at this point?It sounds absurd and is most certainly far-fetched. Then again, the idea of NFL rookies on rosters who have already played in preseason games going back to college football in the same month sounded that way, too.
However… here we are.
The NCAA is becoming powerless, judges are doing the unthinkable, and these college football players just can’t accept reality. Or perhaps they can’t pass up a payday.
So again, until someone does something to end this madness, whether through collective bargaining or federal law, we’re left asking the same question: What’s next?
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Leave a Comment