Court clears path for 2022 college athletes to resume play
A U.S. District Court in Colorado has issued a preliminary injunction that restores eligibility for every 2022 college football player who exhausted their final year of athletic scholarship, allowing them to petition for a 2026 season return. The decision was handed down by Judge Charlotte Sweeney, who ruled that the NCAA’s eligibility rules could not bar these athletes from competing again.
The ruling directly impacts former Texas Longhorns such as defensive end Ethan Burke, offensive lineman Cole Hutson, cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau and defensive end Justice Finkley, each of whom now faces the possibility of resuming play in Austin if professional opportunities dissolve.
Burke, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens after his collegiate career, could be released before the NFL season begins, opening a pathway back to Texas; Hutson, who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over eligibility rules, is similarly positioned; Guilbeau, a recent Carolina Panthers signee, may be cut; and Finkley, who completed his college tenure at Kansas, could provide depth for the Longhorns.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged Hutson’s situation during SEC Media Days but stopped short of confirming any official return, leaving the roster outlook uncertain until final cuts are made.
The injunction applies to all 2022 student‑athletes who used their final year of eligibility in the most recent season, creating a unique window for those who might otherwise have transitioned permanently to professional or other post‑college paths.