Ex-Ole Miss Stars Win Court Battle, Granted 5th Year Eligibility
College Football Players Sue NCAA for a Fifth Year of Eligibility: What You Need to Know
The Big Picture
Imagine you’re a college football player. You’ve played for four years, but because of a new rule change, you should get a fifth year. The problem? The NCAA said "not for you" — only for future players. So now, over 100 athletes are suing to get that extra season back.
IMPORTANT POINT
This isn’t just about one team or one player. It’s a massive legal battle happening across multiple states, involving former stars who even signed with NFL teams but want to come back to college.
Who’s Involved?
The Players Suing (The Plaintiffs)
- 33 athletes total filed a lawsuit in Louisiana state court on Wednesday
- 16 are football players — the rest play other sports
- Three are currently on NFL rosters:
- Dae’Quan Wright (TE) — Cleveland Browns
- Wydett Williams — Arizona Cardinals
- Anthony Hankerson (RB, former Oregon State) — Seattle Seahawks
- Other notable names:
- Zxavian Harris (DT, former Ole Miss) — waived by New Orleans Saints
- DQ Smith (Safety, former South Carolina) — tried out for Minnesota Vikings
- Jack Pyburn (LB, former LSU)
- Junior Tuihalamaka (DL, former Notre Dame)
The Other Side
- The NCAA — college sports’ governing body
- NCAA Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby — calls the lawsuits "chaos"
What Changed? The Rule Explained Simply
The Old Rule (Pre-June 2026)
- Play 4 seasons within a 5-year window
- No age limit — just a clock that starts when you enroll
- Players could get waivers (special permission) for extra time due to injuries or other hardships
The New Rule (June 2026)
- Play 5 seasons within a 5-year window
- Window starts at enrollment OR the academic year after your 19th birthday — whichever comes first
- Most waivers eliminated — the 5-year clock is now strict
The Controversy
The NCAA did not apply the new rule to current seniors who:
- Already played 4 seasons in their first 4 years
- Would qualify for a 5th season under the new rules
- Why? The NCAA didn’t want a sudden flood of returning players taking roster spots from incoming freshmen who had already committed
The Legal Battle: Step by Step
- June 2026 — NCAA passes new eligibility rules
- Summer 2026 — Over a dozen lawsuits filed across state and federal courts
- July 31 — Biggest win for players: Federal Judge Charlotte Sweeney (Colorado) grants a class-action restraining order in Wisne v. NCAA
- Allows all athletes who started in 2022-23 to play a 5th season
- Early August — NCAA appeals Sweeney’s ruling + other orders
- This Week — NCAA wins appeal in Borovicanin v. NCAA (Ohio state court)
- Wednesday (Aug 19) — New Louisiana lawsuit filed + temporary restraining order granted
- Coming Days — Appeals court expected to rule on Wisne class action
IMPORTANT POINT
The Wisne order does NOT let players:
- Transfer outside the transfer portal window
- Play after signing a pro contract
That’s why the Louisiana players (some on NFL rosters) needed their own lawsuit — they need a separate court order to return.
Why Are Players Filing in So Many States?
According to sports law professor Sam Ehrlich (Boise State):
"A lot of this is just in case Wisne fails. That’s a big concern for a lot of these athletes."
Translation: If the big Colorado ruling gets overturned, players want backup lawsuits in other states to keep their cases alive.
Meet the Headline Players
| Player | Position | Former School | 2025 Stats | NFL Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dae’Quan Wright | Tight End | Ole Miss | 39 catches, 635 yds, 2nd-team All-SEC, NFL Combine invite | Signed with Eagles → cut → now on Browns roster |
| Zxavian Harris | Def. Tackle | Ole Miss | 58 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks, started all 15 games, 10 tackles vs. Georgia in CFP | Waived by Saints (foot injury) |
| Wydett Williams | (Position not specified) | Ole Miss | — | Cardinals roster |
| Anthony Hankerson | Running Back | Oregon State | — | Seahawks roster |
| DQ Smith | Safety | South Carolina | 45 starts, 228 tackles, 5 INTs, 11 PBUs | Tried out for Vikings |
IMPORTANT POINT
None of these players were drafted — they signed as undrafted free agents. They’re "on the fringes of the NFL," but they’re proven college starters who could immediately help a team.
What Happens Next?
For the NFL Players
- They’ve expressed interest in being released from NFL contracts
- Deadline: September 1 — if cut by then, they can join a college roster under the restraining order
For the NCAA
- Appealing everything — calling the rulings "egregious" and "chaos"
- Arguing returning players hurt current rostered athletes
For College Coaches
- Potential bonus talent pool: experienced, starting-caliber players available if courts rule in their favor
- Could fill "weak spots" or "depth deficiencies" instantly
Summary
- 33 athletes (16 football) sued the NCAA in Louisiana Wednesday — won a temporary restraining order to play a 5th year
- 3 plaintiffs are on NFL rosters — need release by Sept 1 to return
- Part of 12+ lawsuits, 100+ athletes fighting the same battle
- Core issue: NCAA changed rules to allow 5 seasons in 5 years, but excluded current seniors who already played 4 years
- Biggest win so far: Wisne v. NCAA class action (Colorado) — but under appeal
- Players filing multiple lawsuits in multiple states as insurance
- Key players: Wright (All-SEC TE), Harris (starting DT), Smith (4-year starter at SC) — all undrafted but productive
FAQ
Why can’t the NCAA just let everyone have a 5th year?
The NCAA says a sudden influx of returning players would take roster spots from incoming freshmen who already signed scholarships. They also want consistent, predictable rules.
Can players who signed NFL contracts really come back to college?
Only if a court says so. The Wisne order does not override the pro-contract rule. The Louisiana players need their own court order — which they just got (temporarily).
What’s a "temporary restraining order" (TRO)?
It’s a short-term court order that keeps things as they are while the lawsuit plays out. It’s not a final decision — just a "pause button" letting players practice/play for now.
Why are there so many different lawsuits in different states?
Legal insurance. If the big Wisne case gets overturned on appeal, players want backup cases already filed elsewhere so they don’t lose their chance.
When will this be resolved?
Unclear. The Wisne appeal could be decided in days. Other cases will take months. The 2026 season starts soon — so courts are moving fast on TROs.
Article based on ESPN reporting by Dan Murphy (Aug 19, 2026).