SEC and Big Ten Block NFL Players from Returning to College Football

The SEC and Big Ten conferences have enacted new rules that prohibit football players who have signed NFL contracts from participating in college football. This decision follows a court ruling that allowed players from the high school class of 2022 to return for an additional year of eligibility.

The Big Ten's rule, announced on Tuesday, states that players who have signed a professional contract, been on a professional roster, or declared for the NFL Draft without proper withdrawal will lose their eligibility at member institutions. Similarly, the SEC has outlined restrictions on athletes who have declared for professional drafts or signed contracts with professional teams.

This move by the SEC could lead to conflicts, particularly with LSU, which plans to add former NFL player Dae’Quan Wright to its roster. The SEC's actions may also challenge a court injunction that granted additional eligibility to certain athletes, potentially leading to further legal disputes. Both conferences appear to be leveraging this situation to advocate for the Protect College Sports Act, which aims to provide college programs with an antitrust exemption.