College sports have undergone major changes over the past few years, forcing coaches to adapt, for better or worse. The arrival of NIL and the Transfer Portal gave athletes new opportunities to earn money and effectively created a form of free agency, giving players more reasons than ever to remain in college. The problem is that with so much incentive to continue playing college sports, everyone is now looking for the next loophole.
Diego Pavia was the first to find a loophole, earning another year of eligibility in court because he started his career in JUCO. This offseason, stars like Trinidad Chambliss, Joey Aguilar, and Chandler Morris all went to court seeking another year in college football, getting varying results. The NCAA looked to combat all the lawsuits, moving to the 5-for-5 model, meaning athletes have a flat 5 years of eligibility, eliminating redshirts.
The issue is that the rules changed too late in the offseason, and it's led to even more lawsuits as the players who pursued the NFL are now seeking and are being granted rulings that will allow them back in college football.
Dan Lanning blasts the players trying to return to college football from the NFL
On Saturday, after the Oregon Ducks completed their practice, Dan Lanning opened his press availability by blasting the current situation.
"You’re a professional now, once you declare for the draft. So to let any of those players come back, fair or unfair to them, it’s unfair to the sport and I think it’s unfair to the players that are on current teams for those guys to be coming back."Dan Lanning
Dan Lanning has the only correct take on the situation, as everyone is being put in a terrible situation with players returning. The players who spent all Spring and Fall Camp with the team that will now be bumped down the depth chart for a player who left college football are in the worst situation, as they can't leave to find a new team.
The teams that are going to take the moral stand and not add any players are treating the sport properly, but they'll be at a disadvantage compared to everyone else. Plenty of coaches will claim all offseason that they want changes to "save college football", but they'll also be the first to pursue these players that are returning.
Even the NFL coaches are in a tough place, as Browns head coach Todd Monken told the media on Saturday that Lane Kiffin called him regarding tight end Dae'Quan Wright.
Todd Monken, asked about Dae'Quan Wright entering NCAA transfer portal
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) August 22, 2026
Implies that’s why Lane Kiffin called him
“Man, that shit is crazy…I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now I know. Shit, I didn’t know, now I know. I didn’t call him back, guess I should’ve”… pic.twitter.com/xnjNOD7c4K
College football continues to head in a direction where eventually it's going to be impossible to fully get back to what makes the sport so great. The coaches have the power to police the sport on their own if they wanted to, but until everyone gets on the same page, some of the decisions will only make things worse.
The Oregon Ducks are taking a stand by refusing to add players who don't belong in the sport, and while it's not noble, it's rare to do the right thing in this era.
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