Texas judge blocks SEC rule, grants fifth year to more than 40 college athletes

A Texas judge has temporarily cleared the way for more than 40 former professional athletes to return to college competition, blocking an SEC eligibility rule that had prevented them from playing this season. 

Dallas County Judge Martin Hoffman issued a temporary restraining order Thursday in a lawsuit brought by 41 athletes. The order prevents the NCAA, SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey from declaring the plaintiffs ineligible based on transfer portal rules or time spent on a professional roster. 

"As long as they would have been eligible to continue playing college sports in the following semester if they had a fifth year of eligibility, they are eligible today," Hoffman wrote, according to the Associated Press.

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The plaintiffs include University of Houston receiver Stephon "Boogie" Johnson and former UH kicker Ethan Sanchez, along with current NFL rookies such as Dallas Cowboys receiver Jordon Hudson and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Wesley Bissainthe. 

Johnson missed most of last season with a foot injury and had an eligibility waiver denied in January, according to the Houston Chronicle. He later attended New York Giants rookie minicamp but did not sign a contract. Johnson returned to Houston practice Monday.

The legal fight stems from the NCAA's new rule allowing athletes to compete for five seasons within a five-year period. The change did not extend an additional season to players who exhausted their fourth year of eligibility last spring, prompting lawsuits around the country. 

The ruling comes as the Power Four conferences have adopted rules preventing certain athletes who signed professional contracts or appeared on professional rosters from returning to college competition. 

Hoffman also ordered the NCAA to reopen the transfer portal for one week, potentially giving eligible plaintiffs an opportunity to return to college programs. The order does not require any school to accept a returning athlete. 

This article originally published at Texas judge blocks SEC rule, grants fifth year to more than 40 college athletes.