Former NFL linebacker and Maryland Terrapins alum Shawne Merriman voiced strong opposition on Tuesday to the growing trend of former professional football players seeking a fifth year of eligibility by returning to college programs. Speaking with OutKick, Merriman called the practice “pretty ridiculous” and warned that without firm limits the situation could spiral out of control.
SEC and NCAA under pressure
The controversy intensified after the SEC filed an amended complaint in an Alabama federal court, alleging that LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and the university were impeding First Amendment rights in the conference’s dispute. Commissioner Greg Sankey appeared in Baton Rouge to argue the case, but Merriman believes the core issue is preserving the purity of college athletics.
Merriman’s concerns
“College athletics has always been pure,” Merriman said. “Now it’s a free‑for‑all, with athletes jumping through the transfer portal chasing the biggest NIL checks. When a former professional athlete can go back into college, it’s just too much. If we don’t stop it now, it will never stop.”
He noted that the NCAA currently allows athletes five years to compete in five seasons, a rule that has been stretched by players who leave for the NFL, receive NIL deals, and then attempt to return for a final season. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who spent four years at the collegiate level before a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns, is one example of a player seeking to use that fifth year.
Potential impact on teams
Merriman warned that the presence of former pros could distract current teammates and coaching staffs. “It’s a distraction. There’s a high‑risk, low‑reward to get a couple of guys out and play,” he said. “Instead of talking about the game, they’re talking about this controversy, and that can hurt the whole program’s focus.”
He also raised questions about locker‑room dynamics, predicting a “silent yes” from teammates and the NFL alike. “I don’t think a lot of guys will be vocal about it. There will be a lot of silence behind closed doors with people having a problem with it,” Merriman added.
Family perspective
While critiquing the policy, Merriman also reflected on his own son, quarterback‑prospect Justin Merriman, who is emerging as a top recruit for the 2029 class at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. The elder Merriman said he is grateful to guide his son through a landscape that is “completely different” from his own experience at Maryland and in the NFL.
“He makes all his own decisions, but being a resource for him and offering guidance has been really cool for me,” Shawne said.
What’s next?
The SEC and NCAA are expected to review the matter further, with the conference’s legal team already involved in federal court. Merriman hopes the governing bodies will establish clear guardrails that protect the integrity of college football while still allowing legitimate NIL opportunities for current student‑athletes.
As the debate continues, fans, coaches, and administrators will be watching closely to see whether the sport can maintain its traditional values amid the evolving financial landscape of college athletics.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
