Is Texas' Cole Hutson still eligible after new SEC eligibility policy?

The SEC has joined the Big Ten in preventing former NFL players and other professional athletes from returning to play college sports. The conference announced the new policy Tuesday evening following a meeting of the conference's presidents, chancellors and athletics directors in Birmingham, Alabama.

The new policy was passed unanimously after a 16-0 vote by SEC presidents. The rule's three provisions prohibit former pros from returning to campus. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has been given the authority to penalize any program that breaks the new rules.

Tuesday's policy announcement from the SEC also comes less than 24 hours after the conference's presidents and chancellors released a statement voicing their opposition to former student-athletes returning to the college ranks after competing professionally.

The SEC announced its institutions are "not permitted" to have an athlete on its roster who has:

Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft, and did not appropriately withdraw.

Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or ...

Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster."

The rule impacts LSU the most. Lane Kiffin was attempting to add ex-Ole Miss/Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright and ex-Ole Miss/Saints defensive tackle Xzavian Harris.

But does the new rule impact the return of Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson ? The short answer is no. Hutson should still be eligible under the new policy. Hutson doesn't technically fit into any of the three categories outlined by the league.

Hutson didn't "declare" for the NFL Draft because he was theoretically out of eligibility. He didn't have to withdraw from the draft because he didn't have to declare. Hutson was not picked in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Austin native was invited to participate in rookie minicamps with the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns , but he never signed a contract. He didn't join any team as an undrafted free agent and he did not appear on an NFL roster.

That clears Hutson of all three provisions. Obviously, this is a fluid situation and the SEC might move to prohibit players like Hutson that are edge cases. For now, Hutson is still officially on the Texas Longhorns roster .

The lineman was granted a temporary restraining order a few weeks ago by Judge Daniella Deseta Lyttleand. Hutson was scheduled to have another hearing on Aug. 10, also in front of Judge Lyttleand, but that hearing became moot after a group of 2022 athletes filed a class action lawsuit against the NCAA, fighting for extra eligibility for the new academic year while claiming the NCAA violated federal antitrust law.

Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the US District Court of Colorado ultimately ruled in favor of the athletes, finding the harm significant enough to grant the injunction.

"They will suffer irreparable harm without issuance of an injunction. And the balance of equities, as well as the public interest, favor them. They are entitled to the injunctive relief they seek," Sweeney wrote in the decision. "Consistent with the above analysis, the Court grants Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, ECF No. 19. DATED this 31st day of July 2026."

After the Colorado ruling, Hutson officially reached an agreement with the NCAA to make him eligible. The lineman was granted one more year.

Hutson, who was part of UT coach Steve Sarkisian's 2022 recruiting class, played in 48 games for Texas before running out of eligibility following the 2025 season.

Even Arch Manning was surprised to see Hutson back on the team.

"I was off social media, so I didn't know what was going on really," Manning said. "And I saw him early morning one day and I was like, 'What the hell?' I gave him a big hug. I'm glad to have him back."