Cole Hutson wins back his spot on Texas' offensive line

Cole Hutson thought his Texas career was over. After four years on the Forty Acres, the offensive lineman ran out of eligibility following the 2025 season, tried out with the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys in rookie minicamps, and came away without a contract. That left him in limbo, a guy without a team and without college eligibility. So he sued.

Hutson filed suit against the NCAA in Travis County, Texas, arguing he deserved another season under the association's new 5-for-5 framework, which grants incoming players a blanket 5 years of eligibility. Now the fight is over, and he won. On3's Pete Nakos reported Hutson's attorney, David Ovard, confirmed the two sides reached an agreement that puts him back in burnt orange.

Pete Nakos

@PeteNakos

Texas OL Cole Hutson is officially rejoining the Longhorns roster after reaching an agreement with the NCAA, his attorney David Ovard tells @On3 in a statement. "We are pleased to advise that Cole is rejoining the Texas Longhorns on the offensive line. Cole is thrilled to be playing with his beloved Longhorn teammates."

"We are pleased to advise that Cole is rejoining the Texas Longhorns on the offensive line," Ovard said in the statement. "Cole is thrilled to be playing with his beloved Longhorn teammates." It's about as clean a resolution as you can ask for after months of legal uncertainty.

Hutson isn't a bit player walking back into the building, either. The 6-foot-5, 308-pound lineman has appeared in 48 games with 23 starts across center, guard and tackle over his Texas career, and he started 5 games at left guard last season. That kind of versatility matters for a Steve Sarkisian offense that struggled to establish the run in 2025, averaging just 137.8 rushing yards per game.

Getting a proven starter back for free, essentially, is a massive break for a Texas program that's trying to reload up front and make another run at the Playoff. Hutson's return also puts him among a small but growing group of players testing the NCAA's eligibility rules in court rather than just accepting the end of their careers — and winning.

For now, the Longhorns get their guy back in the room, and Hutson gets the ending he was fighting for: one more year with the teammates he never wanted to leave.