College sports are yet again going through a major change with the new five-for-five rule approved by the NCAA in late July. This allows players to compete for up to five years in college, instead of the standard four, eliminating traditional redshirts. Then, the Class of 2022 won an injunction from a Colorado federal judge, giving players eligibility for the 2026-2027 athletic year.
That initial injunction only applied to players who had not signed pro contracts, but now even that could be changing. On Wednesday, a court in Louisiana granted all Class of 2022 players, even those in NFL training camps right now, a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. This will allow those players to return to the college ranks, and the NCAA is forced to open a transfer portal window.
All of this is going down just 10 days before Week 0 of the 2026 season. Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham has already said the Wolverines don't plan to add anyone from the Class of 2022 with the new rule, and honestly, why would he this close to the start of the season?
Any new additions to Michigan's roster probably wouldn't play much anyways
There have been a few rumblings here and there when it comes to Michigan adding anyone from the Class of 2022, such as linebacker Ernest Hausmann. While it could bring back some experience to some positions, like the linebackers, the Wolverines' season is roughly two weeks away, and adding new blood to the roster wouldn't be beneficial in the end.
Fall camp has been going on for weeks now, with some guys in intense position battles. What good is it going to do to add another name to some of those battles, other than it just being more competition?
By the time a new, or I guess technically old, player joins the team, it's going to take time for them to learn the new schemes, make connections with the new coaching staff at Michigan, and honestly, they probably wouldn't be ready by the start of the season. Sure, the season lasts long, and any player is going to get the hang of a new system if given time, but will it really matter if they never see the field?
The depth chart is starting to come into focus for Michigan and every other school in the country. Adding any new players feels like a waste of time and NIL money that could be used for recruiting future prospects who have the potential to spend more than one season with the Wolverines.
Whittingham was right to close the door on adding any former players to the roster with the five-for-five rule. Sure, it could add depth to some positions that need it, but coaches might as well give young guys the chance to get playing time because they are the future, while these Class of 2022 players won't be around for as long.
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