Fifth-Year Comebacks on the Table for 2026 After NCAA Eligibility Ruling
A preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney opens the door for some 2022 recruiting-class players who exhausted four years and didn’t redshirt to return for a fifth season in 2026, though rules remain restrictive: they must return to the 2025 school (transfer portal closed), cannot have pro contracts, and programs aren’t obligated to create room. NCAA may appeal, which could affect the players’ eligibility again. CBS Sports profiles several potential returnees across programs like Florida State, Virginia, Texas, TCU, Ohio State, Kansas, Georgia, Arizona State, and Houston, explaining how feasible each comeback would be given rosters and constraints.