Theres been no dj vu for Eli Drinkwitz.Every year, the head coach said Sunday as the Tigers reported for their fall camp practices, has brought a new challenge complete chaos, as he called it to coaching college football.This year, which is Year 7 in Columbia for Drinkwitz, is no different. On Friday night, a federal judge in Colorado ruled that all players in the Class of 2022 who completed their collegiate eligibility in four years are now eligible for a fifth season. The ruling was a rebuke of the NCAAs decision not to retroactively apply its age-based eligibility model to the Class of 2022.One of the players now suddenly eligible again is defensive tackle Sterling Webb, who Drinkwitz confirmed has rejoined the Tigers. Before Fridays news out of Colorado was made public, Webb was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA by St. Louis County Judge Ellen Ribaudo last Thursday, making him immediately free to play in 2026.There could be quite a few similar cases of players returning to college in the coming days and weeks.Hundreds of athletes suddenly just became eligible again, and those players need to find a home on short notice.I have no idea what's going on. This is my seventh year at the University of Missouri, and in seven years we have had complete chaos from year to year, Drinkwitz said. My first year was COVID. My second year was the COVID exception for players, where you had players who didn't count against your roster. My third year was NIL. My fourth year was unlimited transfers. My fifth year was free cap space. My sixth year was revenue-sharing and cap, and now my seventh year is another court case.So again, this is something that we have gotten used to, where there is a lack of understanding and a lack of organization, or, I guess, rules.That lack of rules at least a lack of seemingly enforceable rules looks like it will benefit Mizzou this year.Webb was a starter along the Tigers defensive line last season and a prominent, consistent contributor for each of the past two years. He has recorded 38 total tackles for the Tigers, including two sacks.As the only returning starter on the Mizzou defense, the expectation is that he will start for the Tigers in their season-opener Sept. 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. At the very least, he will be involved in the rotation.Sterling is doing what he believes is in his best interest, and we always are going to support our student-athletes, Drinkwitz said. It's going to be important to get him back slowly acclimated to our program, and it's going to be important for our team to welcome him back, seeing him as a part of our success, and not allowing his return to affect us in a negative way.Will Mizzou stop there, though?Again, a huge group of seniors just became eligible again. There are, as Drinkwitz said, seemingly very few enforceable rules. Some of those players are already in NFL training camps. Many others will be seeking a return to college. There are suddenly a good number of experienced free agents looking for roster spots.Drinkwitz did not shut the door on Mizzou possibly making a run at signing more players.We will do the very best that we can for the University of Missouri to operate within the structure that they've given us, Drinkwitz said. And if that means that we can add somebody at this late date, we will explore every avenue possible to help the University of Missouri football team be successful while also helping the young men or players that are affected by this.More: Missouri football depth chart projection as Tigers enter fall campMore: Grading Missouri football offseason, from new coaches to transfer portalMizzous 2026 roster is mostly settled. There will be some competitions to round out the two-deep over the upcoming month, but we can already make an informed guess on who the main players will be. The Tigers already have more than 50 newcomers going through their first fall camp.But if a star option suddenly becomes available to compete for a role at right tackle? Or a cant-miss defensive end is on the market and interested?It looks like Mizzou is prepared to open its doors.I do feel for (the Class of 2022), and I do want to be a place that they can come and find another year, if that's what is in their best interest, Drinkwitz said. And, obviously, if that's what the court cases say that they can do.This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Eli Drinkwitz talks Sterling Webb return, possibility of more late signings