A new ruling out of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown Arkansas’ secondary into uncertainty, and it could leave the Razorbacks without two defensive backs who had recently gained eligibility for this season.
Safety Caleb Wooden and Dartmouth transfer Sean Williams were both in line to play after a previous court decision from July 31 allowed NCAA athletes from the Class of 2022 to keep a fifth year of eligibility, even if they had already used four seasons. Wooden officially arrived at Arkansas on Aug. 16, one day before the start of the fall semester at the University of Arkansas, and Williams committed on Aug. 18.
That changed Friday, when the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the NCAA a stay of the earlier ruling, putting both players’ statuses in question.
"Institutions will not have violations for any class members who were allowed to compete consistent with the scope of the Wisne injunction prior to the stay being granted, and those former student-athletes are no longer eligible under the Wisne injunction," NCAA Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby said, per Pete Nakos of On3.
NCAA statement on the 10th Circuit decision: "Institutions will not have violations for any class members who were allowed to compete consistent with the scope of the Wisne injunction prior to the stay being granted, and those former student-athletes are no longer eligible under… https://t.co/TOgHKEusTw pic.twitter.com/H9028SEw6g
For Arkansas and other programs that added Class of 2022 players, the situation is now murky. The Razorbacks have depth in the secondary, but Wooden and Williams were viewed as useful pieces who could help defensive coordinator Ron Roberts.
And they’re not the only names caught in the middle. With 15 days left before Week 1 of the 2026 season, several other players are also in limbo, including former Ole Miss players Zxavian Harris, Wydett Williams and Dae'Quan Wright, who entered the transfer portal. Former LSU and Florida linebacker Jack Pyburn, who had two sacks for the New York Jets in a preseason game, was granted a fifth year of eligibility by a Wednesday ruling in Louisiana's 19th Judicial District Court.
Players who were cleared by state court rulings, rather than Friday’s federal decision, still keep their eligibility. That does not apply to Wooden or Sean Williams.
Unless another ruling changes things, Arkansas now appears to be down two depth options on defense heading into its Sept. 5 season opener against North Alabama.
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