A day after a surprise court ruling, college football's powerhouse, Alabama, is scrambling to adapt to the eligibility changes. Hundreds of FBS football players, including those from the 2022 class, are now eligible to return to their teams after exhausting their eligibility in four years.
The ruling, made by Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Colorado, impacts a significant number of rosters just days ahead of the start of fall camp. College football front office staffers and agents were sent scrambling to understand the ramifications.
The NCAA is expected to quickly appeal the order to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, which could take away blanket eligibility for 2022-class athletes. Schools are moving quickly to add potential pieces to their rosters, with multiple general managers already knowing which of their former players would be eligible under the ruling.
"There will be players that are rosterable," one Power Four general manager said.
Former players who have already expressed an interest in returning include Myles Rowser, an All-Big 12 safety from Arizona State, Thomas Castellanos, a quarterback from Florida State, and Cazeem Moore, a defensive end from Virginia.
Compliance offices are still working to better understand the full scope of the ruling and untangle the specifics of the order. Schools remain cautious about whether an appeal could stop the order, citing the Charles Bediako situation with Alabama basketball last year.
The Bediako situation showed that there are ways for athletes to get around NCAA rules, even if they've earned money as a professional. However, agents say it doesn't make much sense to pull a player off an NFL training camp roster and bring them back to college.
NFL teams are also wondering about the ruling and whether players currently in their training camps will try to return to college. One Power Four general manager said, "If NFL doesn't matter, I've got a lot of money that's better than camp."
The ruling has left the college football world in a state of uncertainty, with teams unsure if the ruling will hold up on appeal. However, one thing is clear: schools are moving quickly to gauge the interest of players in a return.
Fall camp is set to begin next week, but the NCAA's appeal could take away blanket eligibility for 2022-class athletes. The outcome of this case will have a significant impact on the college football season, and teams are waiting with bated breath to see what happens next.
Alabama, in particular, is in a unique position, having been involved in a similar situation with Bediako last year. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the team's roster and their chances in the upcoming season.
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals will likely hear the NCAA's appeal in the coming weeks, and a decision is expected soon. Until then, college football teams, including Alabama, will be waiting anxiously to see what happens next.
Source: CBS