Big Ten and SEC Ban NFL-Signed Players from Returning to College Teams

The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday that it has unanimously adopted a rule barring football players who have signed a professional contract, been on a professional roster, or declared for the NFL Draft as underclassmen without withdrawing from competing for any conference institution. The conference said it will continue to evaluate similar restrictions for athletes in other sports.

Later that day, the SEC issued a comparable policy. It states that an SEC school may not have on its roster any athlete who (1) declared for the NFL, NBA or WNBA and did not withdraw, (2) signed a contract with a professional football, basketball or women's league, or (3) been listed on a professional roster. The commissioner is authorized to enforce the rule and impose penalties on member institutions.

The SEC decision could affect LSU, which plans to add former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright to its roster, despite a court injunction granting him an additional year of eligibility. The new conference rules may lead to further legal challenges.

Both conferences said the measures are intended to address recent legal developments and maintain the integrity of collegiate competition.