The NCAA has secured a stay in the Wisne versus NCAA lawsuit, effectively reinstating eligibility restrictions for athletes from the Class of 2022 who have not already obtained temporary restraining orders. The move reverses a summer ruling that had opened a narrow path for some players to extend their collegiate careers.
Judge Charlotte Sweeney’s earlier decision had allowed a small cohort of 2022 players a fifth year of eligibility, but it also stipulated that anyone with an active NFL contract would be ineligible to return to college football. The clarification cleared the way for a handful of former LSU standouts, including Jack Pyburn and fifteen of his teammates, to receive temporary relief and resume play.
Legal Landscape Shifts
The latest stay does not end the controversy; instead, it has intensified interest among other 2022 athletes who are now rushing to file their own temporary restraining orders in hopes of securing similar exemptions before the NFL’s roster‑cut deadline on August 30.
Among those watching the developments closely is Myles Rowser, an Arizona State defensive back who was recently granted a fifth year of eligibility and access to the transfer portal. Meanwhile, Stephen Daley and Kellar Wyatt have both announced their intentions to return to college football, citing the Colorado ruling as a catalyst for their decisions.
The ripple effects are already being felt across the sport. As teams finalize their rosters, the prospect of additional lawsuits looms, promising a busy legal arena that could reshape eligibility rules for future classes. The intersection of professional prospects and collegiate ambition continues to generate debate, ensuring that the conversation will persist well beyond the current season.