Sports

NCAA Fights Rule Allowing Indiana To Bring Back College Star That Couldn’t Sign With NFL Team

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iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Court ruling allows Stephen Daley to return to Indiana.


Stephen Daley is returning to Indiana for his fifth and final season of college football. He was granted that opportunity following a recent district court ruling in Colorado.

The NCAA provided a statement to the decision this week. It is fighting the judge’s ruling, providing some uncertainty on future eligibility.

The association is appealing the decision. If overturned, it could prevent players like Daley from playing this season. For now, he is eligible. The Hoosiers are taking full advantage.

Stephen Daley announces return to Indiana.

Daley was one of the Hoosiers’ top stars in their national championship season, racking up 19 tackles for loss, a total that ranked third in the nation.

He was unable to compete in the postseason due to a freak injury that occurred after the Big Ten Championship. While celebrating with fans, he hurt his leg. It sidelined him for the College Football Playoff.

Daley recorded three tackles and a sack in his final game, which came against Ohio State in a defensive slugfest. His performance helped the Hoosiers secure their first conference title since 1967.

Indiana was able to complete its national championship run with Daley sidelined. He now hopes to help the program defend its crown.

Court ruling opens door.

The NCAA introduced a “five for five” rule to go into effect starting with athletes that enroll in 2027. Essentially, players have five seasons of competition over a five-year period. It was set to begin with either full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurred first.

It was created to combat transfer portal chaos, redshirt applications, and age-related controversies. The move would all but end pushes to extend eligibility for players seeking sixth, seventh, and even eighth seasons.

The rule was not intended to apply to competitors that recently completed their college careers. A Colorado judge muddied the waters with a preliminary injunction to include the 2022 recruiting class.

Stephen Daley was a part of that cycle prior to landing at Indiana. He initially enrolled at Kent State in ’22. He’s now taking advantage.

The judge clarified that her ruling has “no impact on other NCAA rules, which would include its prohibition on players signing pro contracts, then coming back to college.”

Daley was unable to train for the NFL due to his injury. It prevented him from being signed by a pro team. For now, he is eligible to return to Bloomington. We’ll see if the injunction sticks.

The NCAA will fight.

It’s already appealed the court decision in hopes of a reversal. The NCAA continues to push back on challenges to its eligibility guidelines.

“The Wisne case is just one of many cases challenging the eligibility framework adopted by membership,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said in a memo. “While we are trying to pause further lawsuits in light of the Wisne decision, we may not succeed everywhere…

“Preliminary injunctions are typically short-term and we remain confident in our legal position. We are looking to restore the status quo as soon as possible.”

The NCAA reference future players soon headed to college campuses in its argument. The legal decision in Colorado threatens to swipe roster spots from incoming 2027 recruits.

“If the judge denies our motion for a stay, the NCAA will immediately ask the Tenth Circuit to enter a stay pending approval, including a request of the Tenth Circuit for what is known as an ‘administrative stay’, which is an order pausing the injunction temporarily while the court decides whether to pause it for the duration of our appeal,” said Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby.

“If any of our stay motions are granted, we will return to the status quo before Wisne, with the age-based eligibility rules being implemented as the membership intended.”

If granted, athletes that sign during this currently legal period would be ruled ineligible.

The Hoosiers are willing to take the risk. Indiana is cashing in on the chaos by bringing back Stephen Daley. For the time being, it has bolstered a stout defensive line in pursuit of another title.