NCAA chief legal officer Scott Bearby called Friday's decision by a Colorado federal judge to grant an injunction restoring a year of eligibility for student-athletes from the high school class of 2022 "egregiously wrong" in a letter sent to member schools Saturday.
As reported by Ian Casselberry for Yahoo Sports, Bearby claimed that Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado does not have the authority to overrule the House v. NCAA settlement that imposed roster limits on college sports programs.
"Bearby's letter follows a statement on Friday from NCAA president Charlie Baker that disagreed with the ruling out of Colorado and called for Congress to move forward with passing the Protect College Sports Act," Casselberty wrote Saturday. "He argued further that suddenly restoring eligibility to an entire class would cause 'chaos.' "
The ruling in Colorado was preceded by a Tennessee court granting a temporary injunction to Vanderbilt guard Jalen Washington and 18 other college basketball players to provide a fifth year of eligibility, according to Casselberry, adding the injunction also ruled that the NCAA cannot prevent any of the athletes from entering the transfer portal.
"As a result of Friday's developments, reports of several athletes looking to return to college with renewed eligibility began to circulate," Casselberry reported. "Those exploring the possibility include former Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding, Georgia safety JaCorey Thomas, Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari, former Pittsburgh running back Desmond Reid, Indiana receiver Jonathan Brady and linebacker Trent Hendrick, who last played for James Madison, On3's Pete Nakos reports.
"Thomas, Afari, Reid, Brady and Hendrick are among several football players who participated in minicamps with NFL teams in the spring after their previous eligibility had expired. They were not invited to full training camp and now face an opportunity to renew their college football careers."
