On Tuesday the Big Ten unanimously adopted a rule that prohibits football players who have signed a professional contract, appeared on a pro roster (at any point), or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility at any Big Ten school.
Sources: The Big Ten is set to pass a rule today that doesn’t allow players to return from the NFL and play for a Big Ten school. Anyone who has declared for the NFL Draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league cannot be on a Big…
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 25, 2026
The rule is a direct response to a Louisiana court order that granted a group of players waived by NFL teams an unexpected path back to college football. That opening led to immediate movement, most notably former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, both of whom are headed to LSU after time spent with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints.
Other conferences need to follow the Big Ten with swift action
The SEC has voiced similar principles but hasn't moved toward the Big Ten's formal action. On Monday its presidents and chancellors stated that athletes who leave college athletics, sign professional contracts, and compete professionally "should not then be permitted to return to college competition." Pretty tough talk for a conference with the team that is causing this mess.
The ACC and Big 12 are also looking at restrictions, but clearly the Big Ten is the only Power Conference that has its head on straight.
At its core, this issue should only be present this season of college football because of the adjustments that have been made. 2022 players were left with a tough deal and that should be recognized, but should those players get to return to the college game this close to the start of the season? No. Not at the expense of the other young men who continue to give their all to their programs.
It's time for these other conferences to take a stand. If they truly cared, even a small amount about the players, this would have already been solved by every P4 conference.
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