Ex-NFL Player Gets Fifth Year of College Football Eligibility

A Louisiana court just gave 16 young athletes something almost unheard of in sports: a do-over.

Anthony Hankerson's whirlwind month perfectly captures this unprecedented opportunity. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks last week, played in a preseason game Sunday night, and got waived days later. Now he's eligible to play college football again.

The 2024 graduate from Oregon State rushed for 10 yards on five carries against Tennessee in his only NFL appearance. He also caught two passes for nine yards before Seattle released him along with running back T.J. Harden, who played for SMU last year.

Both players graduated high school in 2022, which typically would have made them ineligible for college sports under NCAA rules. But a Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order last week granting them and 14 others a fifth year of college eligibility.

Hankerson had already shown what he could do at the college level. Last season at Oregon State, he ran for 1,086 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 22 catches for 123 yards. Those numbers earned him an undrafted free agent deal with Miami in April before Seattle picked him up.

Why This Inspires

This ruling represents more than just extra playing time. It gives young athletes who went undrafted or didn't get a real NFL shot another year to develop their skills, finish their education, and potentially improve their draft stock.

The court order also levels the playing field for players who lost development time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many athletes from the class of 2022 had their crucial high school senior seasons disrupted, affecting their college recruitment and early development.

Harden has already entered the transfer portal after clearing waivers, ready to make the most of his bonus year. Hankerson is expected to follow once he clears waivers, giving both former NFL hopefuls a chance to rewrite their college stories.

Sometimes the best path forward means taking one step back first.