The Tenth Circuit has granted the NCAA's stay request in the Wisne vs. NCAA lawsuit. That means qualifying players from the Class of 2022 are once again ineligible unless they have already been granted temporary restraining orders or injunctions.
Earlier this summer, Colorado District Judge Charlotte Sweeney ruled that some members of the 2022 class could be granted a fifth year of eligibility. Despite a later clarification that athletes who signed NFL contracts would be ineligible for a return to college football, rookies across the league have been exploring NCAA comebacks.
On Wednesday, former LSU standout and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Jack Pyburn and 15 other athletes were granted a temporary restraining order by a Louisiana judge. Because Pyburn and the other 15 players have their own temporary restraining order, the Tenth Circuit's ruling doesn't affect them, and they are eligible for a return to college football.
Players who were granted TROs and injunctions and other lawsuits are not impacted by this order.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) August 21, 2026
Expect many players who are back on rosters hoping to use their 5th year to join separate lawsuits seeking their years back. https://t.co/iqSpYav4dE
While this new ruling in Wisne vs. NCAA may be a victory for the NCAA, it will trigger another wave of lawsuits as other members of the 2022 class seek their own temporary restraining orders and injuctions.
This is about to get particularly interesting as the NFL regular season approaches. With roster cut-down day set for Aug. 30, more rookies on the fringes could turn their attention back to the college ranks instead of fighting for roster spots at the pro level. If that happens, they may take legal action in hopes of getting one more year of eligibility.
We've already seen a slew of athletes score victories in that department. Recently, Arizona State defensive back and All-Big 12 honoree Myles Rowser was granted a temporary restraining order that not only granted him a fifth year of eligibility but also allowed him to enter the transfer portal.
Other players -- like Indiana edge rushers Stephen Daley and Kellar Wyatt -- have announced their return on the strength of the Colorado eligibility ruling. They are now ineligible for the moment, but they are among countless other players who could take legal action to get a temporary restraining order or injunction of their own.
