Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has strongly criticised the growing trend of NFL players attempting to return to college football, calling the idea "the stupidest s— I've ever heard." His comments come amid an unusual legal dispute in which some professional players are seeking a fifth year of college eligibility, a situation that has thrown college football's roster rules into disarray. Ballard's remarks reflect wider unease in the NFL about a phenomenon that inverts the traditional career pathway from college to the professional game.

None of the Colts' own players are involved in the attempted moves, but the issue was sparked by LSU recruiting players who had previously featured for head coach Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, despite those players having already signed NFL contracts. In response, both the SEC and Big Ten have introduced rules barring anyone who has appeared on a professional roster from returning to college competition. The matter is now before the courts, with a hearing set for Thursday in Baton Rouge to examine the legality of the SEC's ban.