Both the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns served as tryout destinations for University of Texas interior offensive lineman Cole Hutson.

Hutson played in and started 10 games for the Texas Longhorns in 2025, half at center and the other half at guard, before becoming a tryout player for the two NFL franchises having gone unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft and failed to get a UDFA contract in the immediate aftermath.

Neither team signed the 23-start offensive lineman, and as such the 6'5 308 lb man is returning to college for his fifth year of eligibility, having played out his senior year last season.

"Offensive lineman Cole Hutson, following minicamp participation with the Browns and Cowboys, has returned to Texas after regaining a fifth year of eligibility." ESPN reports. "In July, Hutson filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Travis County, Texas, seeking an additional year of eligibility. Last week, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted players like Hutson the right to play another year of college sports."

Now having been granted his fifth and final year of college eligibility, Hutson will suit up for Texas and will likely play a role in the team's opener against Texas State on Sept. 5.

With another year under his belt – especially considering Hutson did not start a single game in his second and third years in his belt – Hutson will have a further year to shine and show NFL evaluators that he is, at the very least, worth giving a semblance of a shot in the pros.