16 NFL Players Can Now Return To College Football
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
A Louisiana judge granted a temporary restraining order to 16 football players. Several of them spent time in NFL training camps this summer. The ruling allows them to return to college sports for the 2026 season.
Pete Thamel reported the news alongside Dan Murphy. The group includes former Ole Miss starters Dae’quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. South Carolina safety DQ Smith is also part of the list.
NEWS: A judge in Louisiana has granted a group that includes 16 football player –including several in NFL training camps this summer — a restraining order to allows them to return to college sports this season, per me and @DanMurphyESPN. pic.twitter.com/fUMzBolvbp
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 19, 2026
The decision adds another layer to ongoing fifth-year eligibility battles. A Colorado court had already opened doors for many 2022 high school graduates. The NCAA continues to resist broad changes.
College Football Programs Move Quickly on Opportunities
Some college programs have already started reaching out to agents, Pro Football Talk reported. Their pitch targets first-year NFL players who face cuts. Those players often land on practice squads at best.
Schools see a chance to add experienced talent right away. One team executive called the choice a “dangerous game” for the players. They must weigh practice squad pay against another year of college earnings and NIL opportunities.
Questions remain about roster spots at the new school. Players may also need to address money already earned through signing bonuses or per diems. The long-term benefits of an accrued NFL season could still outweigh a return.
This approach shows how individual programs chase wins. Collectively, schools want more stability. Individually, coaches will take every available edge.
College Football Eligibility Rules Keep Shifting
The broader landscape remains unsettled. Multiple lawsuits challenge the NCAA’s handling of the new five-year model. Players argue they deserve the same opportunities given to past and future classes.
Cut rookies now sit in a unique position. Some have already expressed interest in release from their NFL deals. If teams cut them by early September, the restraining order could clear a path back to campus.
This latest development mirrors other recent moves. Players like former SMU and Seahawks running back TJ Harden have already planned transfer portal entries thanks to the ruling. The chaos continues to reshape roster building across the sport and adds to the growing list of college athlete stories dominating headlines.
Programs view these returns as another tool in a hyper-competitive environment. Whether the strategy pays off will depend on how many players actually make the leap. For now, the outreach has already begun.
