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Dallas judge issues TRO for several athletes, with NCAA, SEC and Greg Sankey named defendants
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- Dallas judge issues TRO for several athletes, with NCAA, SEC and Greg Sankey named defendants
NCAA
Another day, another temporary restraining order. Such is life in the NCAA these days. A new TRO issued by a judge in Dallas on Thursday named about two dozen players who will now have eligibility restored, including former Florida , Mississippi State and UCF basketball player Riley Kugel , as well as former Georgia safety JaCorey Thomas .
According to On3's Pete Nakos, The TRO names the NCAA, SEC and SEC commissioner Greg Sankeyas defendants. That comes within days of the SEC announcing a ban on former professional players playing for teams within the conference.
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So what does it mean that Sankey, as well as the NCAA and SEC have been named defendants in this TRO? Well, according to Dan Murphy of ESPN , "if the NCAA or SEC wants to try to block any of their returns, they would have to go to court and argue their case in front of the judge, [according] to the order."
That puts the onus back on the NCAA and the SEC following a flurry of rules passed by the SEC and other Power Four conferences this week to curb the signing of former professional players. There are a few named in this TRO, including Thomas (Carolina Panthers) and former TCU and SMU receiver Jordan Hudson (Dallas Cowboys).
Other players named in the TRO are as follows: Corey Washington , Hali Hartman, Ahmadd Moses , Avry Tatum , Brandon Walker , Christeen Iwuala , Christopher "CJ" Gunn , Coley Sidloski , Dmon Brinson , Ethan Sanchez , Jacob Krieg, Jayden Brewer , Jayden Fielding , Phillip Dunnam , Rylan Griffen , Solo Barnes, Stephon "Boogie" Johnson , Treylin Payne , Tyrence Crutcher, Madelyn Muhr , Marcell McCreary, Nikolas Graves , Omari Evans , Owen McElfatrick, Trey Lewis , Max Weinrich, Raphael Kistmann, Rich Smith, Micah Gray , Naquari Rogers , Ryan Ford, Bailey Maupin , Wesley Bissainthe , Justus Simmons , Todd Hudson , Rashod Dubinion , Jaden Mosley and Jacob Holmes .
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JaCorey Thomas plans to enter NCAA transfer portal
Just days before news of the Dallas judge granting a TRO, On3 reported that former Georgia safety JaCorey Thomas planned to file a lawsuit against the NCAA. He joined the motion in Dallas and has now been granted eligibility, pending appeals.
Thomas went through rookie minicamp with the Carolina Panthers earlier this year. He was a starter at Georgia in 2025, when he recorded 45 tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack.
That was the breakout season for Thomas. He started eight of 14 games. Previously he had seen action in 33 contests but hadn't a huge difference statistically. Thomas finished his Georgia career with 63 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks and two passes defended. Thus, he'd obviously be a quality addition for a team needing some late help via the NCAA transfer portal.
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He's not the only one who has pursued a professional path named in this suit. Hudson suited up for the Dallas Cowboys, former Penn State and Washington receiver Omari Evans inked with the Kansas City Chiefs, former Miami defender Wesley Bissainthe was also signed by the Chiefs, and former Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding signed with a Canadian Football League team, among others.
RELATED: Former Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding to enter transfer portal
Of course, others who have not signed professional contracts may have an easier time returning for another season of eligibility, even with the TRO now in place. That number includes former SMU all-conference safety Ahmadd Moses.
