The Indiana Hoosiers, reigning national champions, are making strategic decisions amid a court battle that holds significant potential impacts on the upcoming college sports season. A ruling in a Colorado District Court, which granted athletes who began their college careers in 2022 an additional season of eligibility, has placed many colleges in a dilemma. The court’s preliminary injunction led schools nationwide to assess the long-term benefits of the ruling on their rosters.
On Tuesday, the Hoosiers capitalized on this situation by reinstating star defensive player Stephen Daley. Daley, who played a crucial role in Indiana’s victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game in December 2025, chose to return after an injury prevented his participation in the 2026 NFL Draft. His decision was influenced by the recent court ruling, allowing him eligibility despite having already competed for four seasons.
The NCAA is appealing the decision, with Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby providing guidance to member schools about current rules versus possible changes if the appeal succeeds. Bearby stated that if their motion for a stay is denied, they would immediately request a stay from the Tenth Circuit, which would temporarily pause the injunction.
Bearby explained, “If the judge denies our motion for a stay, the NCAA will immediately ask the Tenth Circuit to enter a stay pending approval, including a request of the Tenth Circuit for what is known as an administrative stay, which is an order pausing the injunction temporarily while the court decides whether to pause it for the duration of our appeal.”
He added that if any stay motions are granted, eligibility rules would revert to their previous form, maintaining the age-based guidelines intended by the membership. The NCAA warned schools that players added during the injunction could be deemed ineligible if the court rules in favor of the NCAA upon appeal.
The courtroom battles stem mainly from the NCAA’s implementation of the new “Five-and-Five” rule, giving athletes five years to play five seasons. The plaintiffs argue that players who completed four years should qualify under the new guidelines because of the unforeseen changes this past summer.
On Tuesday, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed their process of considering players for eligibility under these circumstances. The school is still inquiring and exploring potential options.
Across college sports, the uncertainty about eligibility has prompted football staff to communicate extensively to evaluate the risks of reinstating players without concrete assurance of eligibility throughout the season.
While some players have gained eligibility due to the ruling, the NCAA and various conferences hope the “Protect College Sports Act” will pass through the legislative branches to alleviate confusion surrounding athletics. Lawsuits continue at the state level, affecting sports beyond football, including basketball.
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