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Whats to stop an NFL player who still has eligibility from coming back to college?
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:21 am
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:21 am
Like a 4 year NFL vet. At this point it's possible.
5
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:24 am to boogiewoogie1978
That would be innovative! He’s a Louisiana judge away from making it happen!
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:26 am to boogiewoogie1978
Don’t be so dramatic.
The NCAA told these 2022 guys they were out of eligibility and then changed the rule.
The NCAA told these 2022 guys they were out of eligibility and then changed the rule.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:30 am to lsu711
quote:
Don’t be so dramatic.
Looking back over the last 3 years of college football, what exactly give you any sort of confidence this won't be tried (and probably be successful) at some point?
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:47 am to boogiewoogie1978
This probably will not happen the way the rules are currently. I'll let you figure it out, but I'll post the relevant information. Use an example of a player graduating in May of 2027 at 18. The NFL will keep him out until he' 21 at least. The NCAA makes 19 years the oldest age before for his 5 year clock starts.
NFL restriction
There is no minimum age limit to play in the NFL, but players must be at least three years removed from high school graduation to be eligible for the NFL draft. This rule, established in the 1990s and solidified in the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement, is designed to ensure players possess the necessary physical and mental maturity.
NCAA recent 5 for 5 ruling
The NCAA "5-for-5" rule, officially an age-based eligibility model, was unanimously approved by the Division I Cabinet in June 2026 to replace the traditional "four seasons in five years" framework. Under this new standard, student-athletes who enroll in college no later than the academic year following their 19th birthday are granted five years of eligibility to compete in five seasons of competition.
The rule aims to simplify eligibility by eliminating traditional redshirts and most waiver requests, as athletes can now compete in every season within their five-year window. The eligibility clock begins upon full-time enrollment or the start of the academic year after turning 19, whichever occurs first.
NFL restriction
There is no minimum age limit to play in the NFL, but players must be at least three years removed from high school graduation to be eligible for the NFL draft. This rule, established in the 1990s and solidified in the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement, is designed to ensure players possess the necessary physical and mental maturity.
NCAA recent 5 for 5 ruling
The NCAA "5-for-5" rule, officially an age-based eligibility model, was unanimously approved by the Division I Cabinet in June 2026 to replace the traditional "four seasons in five years" framework. Under this new standard, student-athletes who enroll in college no later than the academic year following their 19th birthday are granted five years of eligibility to compete in five seasons of competition.
The rule aims to simplify eligibility by eliminating traditional redshirts and most waiver requests, as athletes can now compete in every season within their five-year window. The eligibility clock begins upon full-time enrollment or the start of the academic year after turning 19, whichever occurs first.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 6:55 am to OleVaught14
I think that’s a big leap from what is happening right now.
The SEC statement said “individuals who choose to leave college athletics.” Hutson, Wright, Harris, Pyburn, etc. etc. didn’t choose to leave college athletics.
The NCAA screwed up by not making a blanket ruling on all 2022s. Judd Utermark can’t be eligible while Jack Pyburn is not, IMO.
The SEC statement said “individuals who choose to leave college athletics.” Hutson, Wright, Harris, Pyburn, etc. etc. didn’t choose to leave college athletics.
The NCAA screwed up by not making a blanket ruling on all 2022s. Judd Utermark can’t be eligible while Jack Pyburn is not, IMO.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:01 am to lsu711
quote:
The NCAA screwed up by not making a blanket ruling on all 2022s. Judd Utermark can’t be eligible while Jack Pyburn is not, IMO.
The NCAA 100% screwed up, but I personally now think the cat it out of the bag. Moving forward, I think we'll now have a new August transfer portal for guys who go through the NFL process but not make a roster. It will be next lawsuit and ain't State judge will grant it.
And had things stand today, Judd who never signed a pro contract is not eligible to return to college sports, while Pyburn is
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:09 am to OleVaught14
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Judd who never signed a pro contract is not eligible to return to college sports, while Pyburn is
Where are you seeing that Judd isn't eligible?
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:12 am to No Colors
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Where are you seeing that Judd isn't eligible?
The NCAA won it's appeal of the Colorado TRO. As of today, any athlete given eligibility under the Colorado federal lawsuit is not eligible (which was the vast majority of the people seeking an extra year under the new 5 for 5 rules).
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:15 am to OleVaught14
I literally cannot keep up
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:16 am to No Colors
There's somewhere around 1000 current lawsuits against the NCAA - no one can keep up
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:21 am to No Colors
Utermark needs an injunction to rule the NCAAs decision is unfair.
The football guys are getting that done. Baseball players have a little bit of time.
Baseball players also had knowledge of 5 for 5 before needing to commit to UDFA deals like the football guys already did.
The football guys are getting that done. Baseball players have a little bit of time.
Baseball players also had knowledge of 5 for 5 before needing to commit to UDFA deals like the football guys already did.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:27 am to boogiewoogie1978
quote:
Whats to stop an NFL player who still has eligibility from coming back to college?
A NO. One that means NO, legally. Otherwise, history says you don't,
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:36 am to OleVaught14
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I think we'll now have a new August transfer portal for guys who go through the NFL process but not make a roster
Which is kind of insane because the ncaa has strict rules on how much practice days/hours teams get, but sure you can spend all summer practicing with nfl teams and then join a college football team right before the season starts. Whats even the point of limiting practice time for everyone else now? Thats probably next to go.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:39 am to boogiewoogie1978
quote:
Whats to stop an NFL player who still has eligibility from coming back to college?
Expert coaches needing the most professional athletes to win is on our menu thanks to coaches like Oats, Wade, and Kiffin that need to use underhanded roster tactics to gain an edge in the excuse of everyone else does it and weak commissioners.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:44 am to lsu711
quote:
Baseball players also had knowledge of 5 for 5 before needing to commit to UDFA deals like the football guys already did.
That's not entirely true. Sure 5 for 5 had been passed by the NCAA, but at the time the MLB draft happened and UDFA deals were made, 5 for 5 was not applicable to any of those seniors.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 7:50 am to BuckeyeGoon
NCAA needs to have Players that want to try out for NFL sign a NCAA departure letter that would terminate their remaining eligibility. they're going to need to do something to have a line of demarcation.
I think it would be acceptable to enter the Combine, go through the draft, and after that declare if you're in or you're out within 1 week after last player selected in the draft.
Players would need to voluntarily forfeit remaining eligibility to enter any NFL practice or training camp. Those choosing not to go NFL route would enter the portal. Teams can reclaim the player if both are agreeable to it.
I think it would be acceptable to enter the Combine, go through the draft, and after that declare if you're in or you're out within 1 week after last player selected in the draft.
Players would need to voluntarily forfeit remaining eligibility to enter any NFL practice or training camp. Those choosing not to go NFL route would enter the portal. Teams can reclaim the player if both are agreeable to it.
This post was edited on 8/25/26 at 7:51 am
Posted on 8/25/26 at 8:15 am to OleVaught14
Right. Baseball players had much clearer line of sight to what was going to happen and could plan accordingly. 5 for 5 passed June 23. The MLB draft was July 11-12. The signing deadline was July 27. The Colorado injunction was July 31.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 8:30 am to lsu711
But at the time they all made decisions, 5 for 5 was not applicable to any of them.
If it's just generally knowing that 5 for 5 was coming and could be challenged, that's been news since 5 for 5 was first discussed a year ago. Everyone's known for about a year that 5 for 5 as coming.
If it's just generally knowing that 5 for 5 was coming and could be challenged, that's been news since 5 for 5 was first discussed a year ago. Everyone's known for about a year that 5 for 5 as coming.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 8:38 am to OleVaught14
This is going to happen. There will be some kid drafted by MLB out of hs who after 7 years of trying to make it and topping out in double A ball will come back to play 5 seasons of college ball.
Why would someone who was in the class of 2019 not say, hey, it's not fair everyone else got 5 years and I only got 4. The class of 2022 says you can't cheat them out of it so why can you cheat me?
Why would someone who was in the class of 2019 not say, hey, it's not fair everyone else got 5 years and I only got 4. The class of 2022 says you can't cheat them out of it so why can you cheat me?
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