Forget everything you thought you knew about the NCAA transfer portal, because Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright, an *active NFL player*, has officially entered it. This isn’t some former college player hoping for a comeback. We’re talking about a guy who’s been grinding on an NFL practice squad during training camp, and it marks the **first time an active NFL player** has ever made a move like this, a true game-changer that caught everyone by surprise. Max Olson of ESPN broke the news Thursday, confirming Wright’s unprecedented jump back into the collegiate ranks.
The Wildest Court Order in College Football History
So, how did we get here? This wild situation is all thanks to a temporary restraining order granted by a Louisiana court. That ruling made Wright and a bunch of other athletes eligible to seek a fifth year of collegiate eligibility. It’s been brewing for a minute, too. The Associated Press noted Wednesday that 33 athletes across various sports, including 16 football players, were part of a lawsuit pushing for this very thing. Talk about shaking up the system! Besides Wright, other big names now looking for new college homes include former SMU running back TJ Harden, former BYU offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, former Appalachian State cornerback Ethan Johnson, and former New Mexico kicker Luke Drzewiecki. This isn’t just one player; it’s a whole movement.
From Ole Miss Playmaker to NFL Practice Squad Back to the Gridiron?
Before landing on the Browns’ practice squad after going undrafted in April, Dae’Quan Wright was an absolute beast for Ole Miss. He was a playmaker, plain and simple, helping lead the Rebels to a College Football Playoff spot in his final collegiate season. We’re talking 39 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns, folks! He even found the end zone in a crucial SEC win over South Carolina and again in Ole Miss’s CFP loss to Miami in the national semifinals. That’s big-time production. Zxavian Harris, another former Ole Miss defensive lineman who also went undrafted in April, was right there with him. Harris closed out his 2025 season with a stat line of 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, three passes defended, and one interception. Imagine that kind of talent, that kind of collegiate experience, potentially back on a Saturday lineup.
This whole situation just blew open the doors for a whole new level of player movement. What college coaches are thinking right now, seeing active NFL talent potentially returning to the NCAA ranks, is anyone’s guess. The future of eligibility just got seriously complicated, and we’re all watching to see where Dae’Quan Wright, and perhaps others, land next. What a time to be following college football!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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