Kentucky · SECNCAA opposes Alex Afari’s bid to join Louisville eligibility case
The former Kentucky defender’s hearing is set for Monday after the NCAA argued his NFL contract and Packers minicamp participation prevent a return to college football.
AUG 28, 2026
The NCAA has opposed former Kentucky defender Alex Afari’s motion to join the Louisville eligibility case, arguing that his NFL contract and participation in Green Bay Packers minicamp make him ineligible for another college season.
Afari’s hearing is scheduled for Monday. The immediate question is whether the court will allow him into the temporary restraining order that has permitted certain athletes with exhausted eligibility to play upcoming seasons. It is not yet known whether Afari will be allowed to join the case or whether he could play for Kentucky in 2026.
Afari briefly returned to Kentucky’s program on Aug. 15 after a Colorado federal judge granted a preliminary injunction for members of the high school class of 2022. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later stayed that case, making Afari ineligible again. He was present at Kentucky practice Friday morning, though it was unclear whether he participated.
Kentucky would be pursuing the return of a veteran defender with 42 starts in 48 games across four seasons. Afari logged 193 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss and six sacks over 1,758 defensive snaps with the Wildcats.
A favorable ruling would put an experienced former starter back in the mix before Kentucky opens 2026 against Youngstown State on Sept. 5, then hosts Alabama on Sept. 12 and visits Texas A&M on Sept. 19. Monday’s hearing is the next decision point.