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Steve Sarkisian Reveals The Real Reason NFL Returnees Are Wrong
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- Steve Sarkisian Reveals The Real Reason NFL Returnees Are Wrong
Photo by: Nathan Ray Seebeck
The Irony of the Longhorns' Stance
Steve Sarkisian is furious about the NFL rule that lets pros displace college players. He calls the policy a moral failure that hurts dedicated athletes. The Texas coach believes it is wrong to kick a player off the field after they worked all year. Yet his own roster holds a player who used a court order to stay despite NFL minicamps.
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Sarkisian stated, "I think that's wrong. That morally is wrong." This stance creates a confusing picture for fans. The SEC now bans schools from rostering players with pro contracts. But Texas has an exception on its side right now. The situation highlights the messy reality of modern college sports.
The Rule Change and the Exception
The SEC and power conferences moved to stop schools from adding players who signed pro deals. Yahoo Sports CFB reported this new policy blocks teams from rostering those athletes. Steve Sarkisian argued it is unfair for a player with nine months of work to lose their spot. According to him, it is unacceptable for someone to remove a player from an NFL roster and instruct an individual with nine months of experience to go kick rocks, a sentiment he shared with reporters.
Despite this anger, Texas keeps offensive lineman Cole Hutson on the team. On3 Longhorns confirmed Hutson received a state injunction to practice with the Longhorns. He played 48 games for Texas with 23 starts before this year. The NCAA recently passed a "five in five" model to give athletes five years of eligibility. Hutson is entering his fifth year now after going undrafted.
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Sarkisian explained the unique case of Hutson in July. He said, "He's a guy that unfortunately didn't get drafted." Consequently, his circumstances differ somewhat from those of many peers who concluded their fourth year of college football. The coach noted Hutson has so much experience. He further stated that Cole possesses extensive experience and has played many games for the team.
The SEC initially threatened heavy penalties for rule breaks. On3 Longhorns reported a head coach could face a suspension for 50% of the team's contests. Schools could get fined half of that sport's annual operating budget. Now, the league plans to comply with court orders. On3 Longhorns stated the SEC and commissioner Greg Sankey will follow recent rulings in Louisiana.
A Coach Caught in the Legal Mess
Sarkisian wants to focus on football, not court battles. He refuses to watch legal updates constantly. Speaking to On3 Longhorns, he remarked that he cannot dedicate his entire day to monitoring Twitter or X for updates on the latest court ruling. The coach feels the current system forces him to react to outside forces. He believes players earn their spots through hard work over months.
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The moral argument is clear from his lips. He feels the NFL return rule steals opportunities from college kids. He stated, "These players on all of our rosters, not just ours, have been working for nine months for this moment on Saturday, which then will lead into the next five to six months." The disconnect between his words and his roster is the real story here. Fans see a coach fighting for fairness while benefiting from a legal loophole.
This situation will define the start of the season. The SEC rule is strict on paper. But the court rulings in Louisiana change how it plays out on the ground. Sarkisian must balance his principles with the reality of his roster. He will look to add players if told he can. He said, "If I'm told that I can add players, then I'll look to add players." The line between right and wrong blurs when lawyers get involved.
The Immediate Next Step
The focus now shifts to the first game on Saturday. That is the moment players have waited for all year. The SEC will monitor how programs handle the new rules. Fans will watch to see if any other schools try to bring back NFL players. The court order for Cole Hutson remains the key exception to the new ban. Everything hinges on the outcome of that Saturday game.
