Former college players secure court order to regain eligibility after NFL roster cuts
Sixteen NCAA athletes, including three on NFL 90-man rosters, obtained a temporary restraining order allowing them to return to college football if they are released during roster reductions.
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that lets 30 former college athletes, among them three former Ole Miss starters now on NFL 90-man rosters, return to college football for an additional season. The order applies if the players are cut when teams trim their rosters from 90 to 53 members, permitting them to rejoin their college programs.
The lawsuit, part of a series challenging the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule, seeks to apply the rule retroactively to athletes affected by recent changes to name, image and likeness compensation. While the broader system aims for stability, individual schools are preparing to recruit players who become available for the 2026 season.
Players who retain eligibility may face uncertain paths, as many who miss the final 53-man roster could be placed on practice squads, offering a chance to be signed later in the season and earn an accrued NFL season. > "It will be a dangerous game for the players," said a team executive, noting the risks involved in navigating roster cuts and eligibility decisions.