Louisiana court ruling allows former NFL athletes to rejoin college teams
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 10:48 AM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction in Louisiana state court preventing the NCAA and SEC from penalizing schools that add former NFL players to their rosters. This ruling specifically permits 42 athletes who filed suit to return for a fifth season of college football eligibility. The decision is expected to impact the LSU roster, which can now integrate former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. The athletes are pushing for a retroactive application of recent NCAA rule changes that expanded eligibility to five seasons in five years. While the move offers a pathway back to college for those released by NFL teams, it has faced public criticism from coaches, including Steve Sarkisian, who questioned the morality of displacing current student-athletes in favor of those who previously entered the professional ranks.
- •Judge William Jorden granted a preliminary injunction preventing NCAA and SEC penalties for signing former NFL players.
- •The ruling covers 42 athletes involved in the Louisiana lawsuit seeking a fifth season of eligibility.
- •LSU is positioned to add players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to their current roster.
- •Steve Sarkisian voiced public opposition to the inclusion of former NFL players on college teams.
- •The legal challenge stems from players requesting retroactive eligibility based on new five-year rule standards.
- 10:48 AMYahoo Sports — “Color Me Surprised”: Analyst Takes Subtle Jab at LSU as Louisiana Court Clears Path for Former NFL Athletes to Return to College
"Louisiana Judge William Jorden approved a preliminary injunction that prevents the NCAA and SEC from punishing any school that incorporates former NFL players. In particular, the injunction allows schools to include on their rosters any of the 42 athletes who sued the NCAA in Louisiana state court to play a fifth season of college football.
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