Big Ten bans NFL returnees from playing for conference schools

OMAHA, Neb. —

The Big Ten passed a rule stopping players from returning from the NFL to play football in the conference, the league said in a statement.

“The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday the unanimous adoption of a conference rule to prohibit football players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition at a conference institution,” the Big Ten said in a statement. “The conference continues to evaluate potential rules restricting professional athletes in other sports from conference competition.”

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that a head coach would get suspended for half of the season if they play an NFL player. There would also be an institutional fine.

Former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a state-level court order that is creating havoc throughout college sports by allowing Wright and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility despite a NCAA rule change in June impacting players who graduated from high school in 2022.

Wright’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told the AP on Monday that the tight end had been waived by the Cleveland Browns and, if he clears waivers, will join Lane Kiffin’s roster at No. 11 LSU. Wright played two seasons for Kiffin at Ole Miss.

Wright was among a group of players who sued in a Louisiana court, saying the new NCAA rule granting five years of eligibility to most athletes should apply to him and others who were not “grandfathered” into the rule, which did not include the high school Class of 2022.

The Southeastern Conference said it firmly opposes professional athletes returning to play college sports.

“College athletes, not professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference,” according to the SEC statement late Monday. “Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition. Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.”

Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that the ACC and Big 12 conferences are considering a similar ban.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report

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