College sports can be a bit wacky these days. Athletes who have played in the NBA have headed back to college. Now, players who are on active NFL rosters are campaigning to head back to college, including one from the Cleveland Browns.
Actually, apparently a trio of players who have already secured an NFL roster spot, even if it’s far from permanent, are hoping to return to college. It’s a real thing in the latest odd story to emerge from college football.
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Cleveland Browns Rookie Dae’Quan Wright, Two Other NFL Players Eyeing Return to College
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May 1, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles Dae Quan Wright (45) runs drills during rookie minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
In one of the more strange football stories of the year, ESPN’s Dan Murphy and Pete Thamel reported that multiple former college football starters were granted a temporary restraining order on Wednesday to return to their programs for one more season. A total of 16 players are involved in the lawsuit filed against the NCAA.
What’s perhaps the most fascinating is that three of them are already on an NFL roster. They are Dae’Quan Wright, Anthony Hankerson, and Wydett Williams.
Wright, a tight end, initially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, but the 22-year-old has since latched on with the Browns. Hankerson, a 22-year-old running back, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. Williams, a 22-year-old safety, signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
Now, rather than continue their fight to make the final 53-man roster, they’re all “expressing an interest” in being released from their NFL contracts to pursue one last college opportunity.
Wright may be the most prominent name involved after receiving an invite to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine following his second-team All-SEC selection at Ole Miss last season. Wright recorded 635 receiving yards last season, but may like his chances at improving his odds to stick around on an NFL roster in 2027, with one more year of seasoning in college.