The NCAA has issued a temporary restraining order that clears the way for 16 athletes from the class of 2022 to extend their college football eligibility by a fifth year, even as many of them have already signed professional contracts.
Among those affected are former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright and former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn, both of whom have already entered the NFL transfer portal and appeared in preseason games, yet remain eligible under the new ruling.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has voiced strong opposition, arguing that allowing players to return after committing to the NFL undermines the integrity of the scholarship system and creates an uneven playing field for teams forced to reshuffle their rosters.
Coaches voice concerns
College programs operate under strict scholarship limits, meaning that reinstating a fifth‑year player necessarily displaces another scholarship athlete, a reality that Lanning says is unfair to those who have dedicated years to reach the NFL draft.
The eligibility change stems from a five‑year, age‑based model that permits athletes to play up to five seasons once they turn 19 or enroll, a framework that the NCAA says is intended to provide greater flexibility but has instead sparked a wave of litigation.
Legal experts predict that the ongoing lawsuits will continue to test the boundaries of the new policy, while coaches across the country watch closely for precedent‑setting decisions that could reshape roster planning and player development pathways.