Full Breakdown
Texas Longlon
9/8/2026, 12:59:41 PM
Core Event: Eligibility Ruling and Current Status
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced that fifth-year offensive lineman Cole Hutson is “technically ineligible” for the Longhorns. The ineligibility stems from an NCAA issue, not the SEC’s policy on players with professional ties. Until cleared, Texas will not place Hutson on the depth chart, and he missed the season-opening win over Texas State.
Background & Context: NCAA eligibility rules and SEC policy
Hutson exhausted his standard four-year eligibility after appearing in 48 games (23 starts) for Texas. After going undrafted, he attended rookie minicamps with the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns but never signed a contract. In July, he filed a lawsuit in Travis County seeking a fifth season under the NCAA’s “5-for-5” model. U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted a temporary restraining order that allowed him to rejoin Texas for fall camp.
The SEC voted 16-0 last month to bar member schools from rostering athletes with any professional draft, contract, or roster connections. Texas affirmed respect for that decision while emphasizing that Hutson’s situation differs because he never signed a professional contract.
Data & Statistics
- Games played: 48 (23 starts)
- Eligibility usage: Exhausted standard four-year eligibility in fall 2023
- SEC vote: 16-0 unanimous approval of the new roster restriction
- Legal action: July lawsuit; temporary restraining order issued by Judge Charlotte Sweeney
Official Statements & Responses
Sarkisian said Texas is “respecting the SEC’s decision” and will await clearance from both the NCAA and the SEC before determining Hutson’s roster status. The university has not disclosed the specific NCAA issue, only that it differs from the SEC’s ruling on former professionals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Technically today he is ineligible, not because of the ruling, because of something different when it comes to the NCAA that he's working through,” — Steve Sarkisian
- “Cole never signed a professional contract, he was never technically a professional player,” — Steve Sarkisian
Impact on Texas Roster
With Hutson unavailable, Texas relied on Laurence Seymore, Dylan Sikorski, and Connor Robertson to fill the guard and center positions in the 58-7 victory over Texas State. The coaching staff indicated that the current rotation will persist through the early part of the schedule, pending the outcome of the NCAA appeal.
What’s Next
The Longhorns will monitor the NCAA’s decision and, if cleared, will revisit the SEC’s eligibility determination before the next game. No specific timeline for the appeal’s resolution has been provided.
