The Big Ten announced Tuesday that any athlete who has signed a professional contract, declared for the NFL Draft, or participated in a pro‑training camp will be ineligible for conference competition this season and in the future. The policy was adopted in response to a wave of court orders granting former college players an extra year of eligibility after they briefly entered the NFL.
What the new rule means
Under the Big Ten’s new eligibility standards, a player who has ever been under a professional contract – even if the contract was terminated – cannot compete for a Big Ten school. The conference also bars anyone who has taken part in any professional‑team training camp, regardless of whether they were signed to a roster.
The decision follows a series of injunctions and temporary restraining orders issued in several states that allowed athletes to return to college football for a fifth season. Those lawsuits have largely hinged on the NCAA’s revised five‑year, five‑season eligibility rule, which many plaintiffs argue should have been applied retroactively.
LSU’s response
Louisiana State University’s head coach Lane Kiffin has publicly defended his recruiting of players who have already seen NFL action. Two former Ole Miss athletes, Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, are slated to join the Tigers after a Louisiana district court granted them an additional season of eligibility. Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson, who sued the NCAA in Texas, is another example of a player pursuing the same route.
“We have made a decision to recruit some kids around the country,” Kiffin said on Monday. “Because of these rulings, they’re either going to play for you or they’re going to play somewhere else around the country. So we made a decision to recruit them, like probably most people are.”
SEC officials weigh in
SEC presidents, chancellors and athletic directors are meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, to discuss whether the conference should adopt a rule similar to the Big Ten’s. Sources say a majority of SEC officials oppose allowing athletes with NFL experience to return to college play.
If the SEC decides to follow the Big Ten’s lead, LSU could find itself in a legal standoff with its own conference. The Tigers’ administration may test the strength of the Louisiana court order by challenging the SEC’s eligibility standards in court.
Potential fallout
Should the SEC adopt a ban, the conference could see a wave of litigation as schools like LSU argue that state court orders supersede conference policy. The situation also raises broader questions about the balance of power between the NCAA, state courts, and individual athletic conferences.
Other conferences, including the ACC and Big 12, are reportedly reviewing the Big Ten’s move and considering similar measures. The coming weeks could see a reshaping of college‑football eligibility rules across the nation.
What’s next?
SEC officials will continue their discussions over the next 24 hours, and a formal decision is expected soon. LSU’s coaching staff will monitor the outcome closely, as any change could affect the Tigers’ recruiting strategy and roster composition for the upcoming season.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
