Louisiana Judge Grants TRO Allowing NFL Players to Return to College Football

A Louisiana judge on Aug. 19 temporarily blocked NCAA eligibility restrictions for 16 football players seeking a fifth college season, including several athletes connected to NFL teams. The ruling stems from a lawsuit involving 33 athletes across multiple sports who challenge the NCAA’s treatment of players from the 2022 recruiting class. The affected NFL-connected players include Dae’Quan Wright, Wydett Williams Jr., Anthony Hankerson and Jack Pyburn, according to Associated Press and other reports. The order gives the football plaintiffs an opportunity to pursue college eligibility while the litigation continues, but it does not automatically release them from NFL contracts or guarantee roster spots. Their potential return depends on contractual decisions, transfer procedures and college roster availability. The case follows the NCAA’s June adoption of a five-seasons-in-five-years model and a July Colorado ruling granting class-wide relief to 2022 athletes. The NCAA can continue challenging the litigation and seek further court relief. � ESPN.com +2 Verification note: The supplied story is substantially correct, but the exact NFL-player count is inconsistently reported. ESPN identifies Wright, Williams and Hankerson as currently listed on NFL rosters, while FOX Sports identifies four, including Pyburn. � The claim that “16 NFL rookies” were cleared is therefore too broad: the 16 figure refers to football plaintiffs, not necessarily 16 NFL players. ESPN.com +1