Could Cole Kozlowski or Phillip Dunnam make a return to UCF after the new court injunction?
Athletes who have exhausted their fourth year of eligibility this past spring have been granted a fifth year, including two former UCF Knights who played football.
Linebacker Cole Kozlowski and defensive back Phillip Dunnam can return to the college scene after believing their careers ended last December.
This is an outcome Kozlowski fought for after spending his final collegiate season in Orlando. He sought a preliminary injunction as part of the Patterson et al v. NCAA Tennessee court case, but Judge William L. Campbell Jr. dashed those hopes on Jan. 15.
Nearly seven months later, Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado revived those dreams on Friday.
The former Knights linebacker had a standout season as a newcomer in the Big 12. At fall camp last year, Kozlowski said he was anxious to prove himself at the FBS level after dominating in the FCS (113 tackles, 3.5 sacks and six passes defended).
He lived up to his expectations, making Third Team All-Big 12 and earning a nod for Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. The Colgate transfer finished second-most on the team in tackles (82) and tied Nyjalik Kelly for second-most tackles for loss (7.5).
Dunnam teased a college comeback on X, quoting On3's post about the injunction with the eyes and thinking face emojis.
He's an interesting case, given he declared for the NFL Draft and was invited to the Tennessee Titans rookie minicamp. Of course, making an attempt to play professionally doesn't exclude a return, but an NFL team could sign him to its practice squad.
The former Knights defensive back had a career-best outing against the Houston Cougars during the annual Space Games. Dunnam became the first player in school history to record three interceptions in one game, earning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week Award despite the 30-27 loss.
Kelly is the third player who could return to college, but he isn't. He signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers worth over $250,000, as he impressed the brass over rookie minicamp and OTAs.
While Kozlowski or Dunnam could play their fifth collegiate season for the Knights, the team's roster is likely set. Coach Scott Frost and his coaching staff signed over 30 players in January's transfer portal, including bolstering depth at the alums' natural positions.
As fall camp begins next week for most programs, they'd be super late additions to another roster. Earning a fifth year is significant for the 2025 seniors, but at this point in the offseason, a return to the college scene is difficult.
