Former UTEP football player among dozens granted a TRO to return to college football

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) –The Mountain West Conference has officially made its stance on the ongoing courtroom battles across the country between high school Class of 2022 football players seeking a fifth season of eligibility and the NCAA.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, the MW followed the P4 conferences' lead in prohibiting "professional athletes" from competing in the league. The conference's statement read as follows:

"Consistent with NCAA eligibility standards, the Mountain West Board of Directors has unanimously adopted a Conference rule prohibiting professional athletes from competing in the sport of football."

"Under the rule, a student-athlete shall be ineligible to represent a Mountain West institution in football if the individual: declares for a professional sports league draft and does not timely withdraw; appears on the roster of a professional sports league; or signs a contract with a professional sports league to provide athletic services. Any student-athlete who meets one or more of these criteria shall be deemed ineligible for football competition at a Mountain West member institution."

Just hours after the conference released its statement, On3 national college football insider Pete Nakos reported that former UTEP safety Solo Barnes intends to return to the program. This follows a restraining order issued by a Dallas judge earlier that same day, which restored eligibility for him and about two dozen other players.

KTSM Sports reached out to UTEP football to confirm it intends to bring the player back, and also reached out to the MW to ask if Barnes would be deemed ineligible.

According to UTEP, Barnes did receive a tryout opportunity with the New Orleans Saints as an unrestricted free agent back in April.

Barnes played as a safety for the Miners in 2025. He recorded 66 tackles, four breakups, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and a sack.

The restraining order issued by a Dallas judge specifically named the SEC, prohibiting them from stopping these athletes from returning to play college sports for one more year. It is unclear how this would impact the MW's recent stance.

The ongoing courtroom disputes stem from the NCAA's recent changes to its eligibility rules. Back in June, the NCAA adopted a new age-based eligibility rule allowing student-athletes to play five seasons in up to five years of eligibility.

However, Class of 2022 high school football players who had already run out of eligibility by playing four full seasons under the previous rules and entered the NFL Draft process earlier in the year were not allowed to return for a fifth season under the new rules.

The argument from dozens of players suing the NCAA is that had they known the association would make the change, they would have stayed another year in college rather than attempt to go pro.