The NCAA transfer portal has officially reopened for the athletes granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday to return to college for a fifth year of eligibility.
Eight former college football players who were plaintiffs in the Louisiana court case entered their names in the portal as of Thursday afternoon: running back TJ Harden (SMU), tight end Dae'Quan Wright (Ole Miss), offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho (BYU), defensive lineman Zxavian Harris (Ole Miss), linebacker Trent Hendrick (James Madison), cornerback Ethan Johnson (App State), cornerback Blake Cotton (Utah) and kicker Luke Drzewiecki (New Mexico).
Wright is currently listed on the Cleveland Browns' roster. Harden played in the Seattle Seahawks' preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys before he was cut Monday. Harris was waived by the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 8.
Sixteen college football players were among the more than 30 plaintiffs who secured the temporary restraining order in Louisiana.
A court date for the case has been scheduled for Aug. 31 in Louisiana's 19th Judicial District Court.
The restraining order permitted plaintiffs to enter their names in the transfer portal over a one-week period outside of the sport's regular portal window, which extended from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16.
In April, the NCAA established new rules that would penalize any program that added transfers after the January portal window. The sanctions for adding so-called "ghost transfers" included a head coach suspension for 50% of the season and a fine of 20% of the program's football budget.
The TRO enjoined the "ghost transfer rule" as well as the NCAA's rule of restitution. It also permits any plaintiffs who signed professional contracts or signed with pro agents to return to college so long as they terminate those contracts and repay any money they've received.
Several more plaintiffs will have to decide whether they'll continue pursuing NFL careers or attempt a return to college. Former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn logged two sacks in his preseason debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and former Ole Miss defensive back Wydett Williams Jr. has played in two preseason games with the Arizona Cardinals.