NFL to bar players who rejoin college from signing with teams in 2026 season
The league will tell clubs that any player who returns to NCAA competition will be ineligible to sign with an NFL team for the upcoming season, while confirming existing free-agent rules.
The NFL will notify its clubs that any player who re-enters college football will be prohibited from signing with an NFL team for the 2026 season, according to sources speaking to ESPN. The clarification is expected to be delivered during a league meeting on Wednesday and reiterates existing rules amid a wave of NCAA eligibility requests.
Teams will also be reminded that a player cut from an NFL roster who returns to college remains a free agent and is not subject to the draft, allowing the player to sign with another NFL club or the Canadian Football League.
The issue gained attention after Cleveland Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright and New Orleans Saints defensive back Zxavian Harris left their NFL contracts to join LSU under head coach Lane Kiffin, following a court order granting them an additional year of college eligibility. Both players must terminate their NFL contracts and repay any professional earnings to regain NCAA eligibility. Wright cleared NFL waivers on Tuesday and is expected to sign with LSU on Wednesday.