Seven players granted 5th year enter transfer portal
The NCAA transfer portal reopened for athletes granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday to return to college for a fifth year of eligibility.
Wright is currently listed on the Browns' roster. Harden played in the Seahawks' preseason opener against the Cowboys before he was cut Monday. Harris was waived by the Saints on Aug. 8.
Sixteen college football players were among the more than 30 plaintiffs who secured the temporary restraining order in Louisiana. A court date for the case has been scheduled for Aug. 31 in Louisiana's 19th Judicial District Court. The restraining order permitted plaintiffs to enter their names in the transfer portal over a one-week period outside of the sport's regular portal window, which extended from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16.
In April, the NCAA established new rules that would penalize any program that added transfers after the January portal window, with sanctions for adding so-called "ghost transfers" including a head coach suspension for 50% of the season and a fine of 20% of the program's football budget.
Several more plaintiffs will have to decide whether they'll continue pursuing NFL careers or attempt a return to college. Former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn logged two sacks in his preseason debut with the Buccaneers, and former Ole Miss defensive back Wydett Williams Jr. has played in two preseason games with the Cardinals.