All articles tagged with #ncaa eligibility
A Kentucky Court of Appeals ruling on Friday dissolved the temporary injunction allowing Thomas Castellanos to play a fifth college season. This decision jeopardizes the Texas Tech quarterback's availability for Saturday's game against Colorado, forcing the Red Raiders' compliance office to determine if he can still participate under current NCAA rules.
Judge George Wright granted Denzel Aberdeen a temporary injunction, allowing the Florida Gators guard to play a fifth season in 2026-27. The ruling overturns the NCAA's denial of his waiver, which excluded the 2022 high school class from the new '5-for-5' rule. Aberdeen, who transferred back from Kentucky, is now eligible to join a roster projected to open the season as the national No. 1 team.
LSU head coach Will Wade defended his 'unconventional' roster strategy, which currently lists only four players, despite the 2026-27 season approaching. The Tigers face significant eligibility hurdles for 11 recruits, including former NBA draft participant RJ Luis Jr. Wade stated he will abide by SEC rules regarding Luis but expressed confidence in his unconventional approach, comparing it to the early days of Uber and Airbnb. The team has not qualified for the NCAA Tournament in four years and finished last in the SEC last season.
Tommy Castellanos, a former Florida State quarterback who pursued the NFL and briefly participated in Dolphins rookie minicamp, will join Texas Tech as a fifth-year player after a Kentucky court granted a temporary restraining order restoring his NCAA eligibility; he’s set to compete in Tech’s QB room with Will Hammond and Kirk Francis amid the ongoing Brendan Sorsby eligibility saga.
Texas Tech landed former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, adding depth at QB as starter Will Hammond recovers from a torn ACL and after Brendan Sorsby stepped away from the program. Castellanos, a 2022 recruit who threw for 2,760 yards and 15 touchdowns with 557 rushing yards and nine rushing TDs in 2025 for Florida State, could also be used at wide receiver per his agent. He previously filed a Kentucky lawsuit over age-based eligibility, which helped him secure a fifth year of eligibility via a temporary restraining order. Tech is navigating ghost-transfer/eligibility rules amid partly uncertain QB plans, and Castellanos’ addition gives the Red Raiders more options ahead of a schedule that starts Sept. 5 vs Abilene Christian, followed by Oregon State and Houston.
A Colorado ruling granting a fifth year to Class of 2022 athletes was paused by a 10th Circuit stay, temporarily restoring ineligibility unless players have separate TROs. However, state-court rulings (Louisiana, Kentucky) continue to allow some players to return or transfer, with examples like Luke Drzewiecki signing with Minnesota and Thomas Castellanos receiving a TRO. With more lawsuits anticipated as the season approaches, the chaos remains dynamic for both college football and basketball, and SEC transfer rules are under scrutiny as intraconference moves could be challenged.
A Louisiana judge granted temporary restraining orders to 16 players, including Buccaneers rookie Jack Pyburn and former LSU standout, enabling them to potentially return to college football in 2026 as part of a broader challenge to NCAA eligibility rules; the TRO provides immediate relief but is not a final ruling, and the cases hinge on the NCAA's five-year clock and players who have NFL contracts.
A Colorado court injunction could allow 2022 seniors to play a fifth season in 2026-27, triggering a second wave of lawsuits to regain college eligibility. The NCAA plans an expedited appeal as Ohio and Tennessee have already granted some players fifth-year relief under state rulings. Notable names like Donovan Dent, Jordan Pope, Malik Reneau, Jaxon Kohler and Skyy Clark are pursuing eligibility, though roster limits and funding may limit some moves. Braden Smith is technically eligible but is not expected to return. The upheaval promises ongoing roster chaos across college basketball this offseason.
Former Tennessee guard B.J. Edwards is re-entering the transfer portal after three seasons at SMU, aided by NCAA eligibility rule changes allowing an extra year of play following lawsuits; Edwards previously signed an Exhibit-10 with the Sacramento Kings and appeared in the NBA Summer League, but a reunion with Tennessee is unlikely as the Vols boast a deep backcourt and are pursuing other targets.
Undrafted Lakers center Robbie Avila is weighing a potential fifth year of college eligibility in 2026-27 after a Colorado federal court ruled that Class of ’22 athletes can use a fifth season, with a transfer window Aug. 3-10. Avila, who played for Saint Louis and appeared in Lakers Summer League, could pursue college basketball despite his training camp contract with the Lakers.
The Big 12’s federal lawsuit against Texas Tech over Brendan Sorsby remains active despite Tech pulling the transfer situation and Sorsby securing a court order to play before entering the NFL supplemental draft; the case touches on potential conference liability and who should cover legal fees, with the possibility of future claims or amended filings depending on discoverable communications.
Brendan Sorsby has tentatively scheduled a Pro Day for July 10 at Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas, as he applies for the NFL supplemental draft; his lawyers plan to withdraw the court filing against the NCAA, which would keep him ineligible to play college football, while it’s unclear how much NFL interest he’ll attract.
Brendan Sorsby, whose college career spanned Indiana and Cincinnati (with Texas Tech involved in his eligibility case), will dismiss his NCAA eligibility lawsuit and apply for the NFL’s supplemental draft, signaling a move toward pro football.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond urged the Big 12 to suspend Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby even though a court order has restored his eligibility after the NCAA deemed him permanently ineligible for extensive wagering; he argues the order applies to the NCAA, not the conference, and calls for sanctions if Texas Tech won’t act. Supporters say the court order stands unless reversed, so Sorsby remains eligible to play, while critics frame the move as political theatrics tied to broader debates over sports governance and antitrust considerations.
Brendan Sorsby, who transferred to Texas Tech after starring at Cincinnati, is fighting an NCAA eligibility ruling that could push him toward the 2026 NFL supplemental draft if denied. The process is lottery-based and tiered, with teams bidding for players and losing a 2027 college pick if they select someone in the supplemental rounds. NFL evaluators praised his athleticism and arm, signaling potential interest from several teams, but much hinges on the court ruling and how the NFL would handle any resulting eligibility issues. Sorsby plans a pro day in Dallas and private workouts if he enters the draft while the injunction decision looms.