This offseason, the NCAA introduced the five-in-five, age-based eligibility rules, which eliminate redshirts in college athletics. However, always making sure to step on as many rakes as possible, the NCAA opted not to grandfather Class of 2022 athletes who exhausted their eligibility in four years into the rule. That decision began a cavalcade of players marching into courthouses to fight for an additional year.
In July, the Class of 2022 won its first injunction against the NCAA, with a federal judge in Colorado granting players in that class eligibility for the 2026-27 athletic year. However, it only applied to players who hadn’t signed pro contracts and did not permit them to enter the Transfer Portal.
Class of 2022 players granted TRO to return to college after signing NFL contracts
Then, on Wednesday, a court in Louisiana granted Class of 2022 football players, including those currently in NFL training camps, a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, allowing them to return to college and forcing the NCAA to open a transfer portal window for these athletes. So, it seems, the floodgates are open, just 10 days before the 2026 season kicks off in Week 0.
What does this mean for Florida State? Well, head coach Mike Norvell has previously spoken about being in contact with former players about a return. Prior to this ruling, Tommy Castellanos and Elijah Herring were the only players eligible to return, and considering Castellanos sued to enter the portal, it’s clear at least one side wasn’t too keen on a reunion.
Now that players in NFL training camps will be eligible, presumably pending an NCAA appeal, there is one Class of 2022 player who makes sense as a late fall camp addition.
Jerry Wilson is FSU's best option for a post-NFL cutdown addition
Joining a team at this point in the preseason is like hopping on a moving train. Considering those returning players will now have access to the transfer portal, there could be significant movement, but likely at the lower levels, where a more premium athlete can be a meaningful upgrade even without an understanding of the scheme.
For teams in the Power 4, it would be tough to onboard an unfamiliar face so quickly. Therefore, a reunion makes the most sense. Florida State could use some of its departed offensive line talent, but none of the starters from that group were from the Class of 2022.
The only other spot on the roster that is largely unsettled is in the secondary, where a Karson Hobbs injury has forced some reshuffling and the CB2 battle opposite Ja’Bril Rawls is largely uninspiring. So, if Jerry Wilson, who is currently in LA Chargers training camp after going undrafted this spring, is interested in a return, Norvell and defensive coordinator Tony White should probably make room.
Quindarrius Jones seems to be the leader at CB2 ahead of South Alabama transfer Nehemiah Chandler and Charles Lester III. Chandler may also need to move inside to battle for reps at nickel with Ma’Khi Jones, more of a safety type, and Ricky Knight III. That leaves FSU incredibly thin at outside corner, which is a big problem because whoever is opposite Rawls is going to get plenty of action.
Wilson isn’t a perfect player. At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, he’s not a strong tackler, and last season, he was picked on quite a bit. Still, he has good ball skills with three interceptions and three pass breakups, and he’s comfortable in White’s zone-heavy scheme on the back end.
Even with his shortcomings, if he fails to make the Chargers, he’s likely a better option than Jones, who is coming off a season-ending injury.
It’s not a move that would vault FSU into ACC title contention. But it could make the Seminoles slightly better and certainly deeper at a key position. That’s a worthwhile move to make even if it forces Norvell and general manager John Garrett to clear room on their roster.
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