Court ruling opens door for college football players to return in 2026

U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a preliminary injunction allowing certain college football players to return in 2026 after they exhausted eligibility. This applies to athletes from the 2022 recruiting class who did not redshirt and were affected by the NCAA's new age-based policy. Players must generally return to their 2025 school and cannot be under pro contracts. Rosters may be impacted as schools are not required to accommodate returning players and the NCAA may appeal the ruling. Several players from major programs have expressed interest in returning, including Thomas Castellanos from Florida State and Cole Hutson from Texas, although roster positions are uncertain as fall camp approaches.

• 8:19 PMCBS Sports — One more year? College football players who could return in 2026 amid court injunction over NCAA eligibility