The Big Ten Conference has announced a new policy aimed at preventing athletes who have signed contracts with NFL teams from returning to play in the conference. This decision responds to situations where former college players, despite going professional, have managed to regain eligibility through legal means.
As of this week, the Big Ten policy states any athlete who has signed with a professional team, declared for the NFL Draft, or participated in professional training camps is ineligible for competition within the conference. This move follows several court rulings granting athletes additional eligibility, sparking the need for clearer guidelines.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti addresses the media during the football media day held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on July 26, 2023.
The decision comes at a time where multiple states have granted temporary restraining orders that allow these athletes to play. The NCAA’s recent eligibility rules provide players five years to complete five seasons, but interpretations have varied across different legal cases.
LSU head football coach Lane Kiffin has been publicly criticized for recruiting players with NFL experience. The 19th District Court of Louisiana ruled in favor of former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, allowing them a return to college football with the LSU Tigers. Kiffin has defended his actions, pointing out the ambiguity and conflicting guidelines surrounding current eligibility rules.
Kiffin stated on Monday, “We have chosen to actively recruit players who are granted additional eligibility through judicial orders. We’re adapting to these changes as any other college program is doing nationwide.”
LSU Tigers’ coach Lane Kiffin during an SEC Kickoff Media Day in Tampa, Fla., captured on July 23, 2026.
Meetings within the SEC involving presidents, chancellors, and athletic directors are underway. A majority supports implementing a rule similar to the Big Ten’s to address this issue of professional athletes returning to collegiate sports.
Legal challenges loom as teams like LSU navigate existing state court orders allowing players back into college sports. The ongoing legal interpretations and rulings in different states have put pressure on conferences like the SEC to form their own coherent approach concerning eligibility.
While such eligibility questions continue to pose challenges, discussions among various conference officials are moving towards implementing comparable measures to those already set by the Big Ten.
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