Well, it finally happened: A player who was part of an NFL roster (sort of) has returned to college football.
According to ESPN, offensive lineman Cole Hutson has rejoined the Texas Longhorns as a fifth-year eligible player for the 2026 college football season. Hutson was part of the Dallas Cowboys' minicamp earlier this NFL offseason but is technically eligible to join the Longhorns following the recent U.S. district court ruling that grants him and others an extra year of college sports.
"Offensive lineman Cole Hutson, following minicamp participation with the Browns and Cowboys, has returned to Texas after regaining a fifth year of eligibility. In July, Hutson filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Travis County, Texas, seeking an additional year of eligibility. Last week, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted players like Hutson the right to play another year of college sports," ESPN reported.
The Death of the NCAA?
While he may not have signed a formal contract with the NFL, Hutson's return to college football is now being viewed by many fans as the "death" of the NCAA. The reasoning is that if literal pro athletes can simply return to the sport, the organization's ability to enforce any of its rules is basically non-existent.
"Oh, knew the NCAA was dead but didn’t realize it was dead dead," one user remarked on X.
"The game is cooked," another lamented.
"The sport i love continues to go downhill. This is complete garbage," a third wrote.
"This is an absolute joke and the NCAA should be ashamed of themselves."
"College sports are broken."
"This has gotten so far out of hand."
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Hutson was a starting left guard for the Longhorns during the 2025 season but also played center and tackle when needed. He has 23 starts in 48 games for the Longhorns over his four seasons with the team.
After going undrafted and failing to get an NFL contract after minicamps, he filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an extra year of eligibility. He was one of many players seeking an extra year of eligibility amid the NCAA's push for a 5-for-5 plan that gives a blanket five years to all eligible players.
U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted Hutson and the other players the right to play that extra year in 2026.
