The SEC and Big Ten have adopted new conference rules barring athletes who signed professional contracts or appeared on NFL, NBA or WNBA rosters from returning to play college sports, as two of the sport’s most powerful conferences try to contain a wave of eligibility disputes reshaping rosters just days before the football season opener.
The Big Ten acted first Tuesday, with athletic directors and faculty representatives unanimously approving a ban that applies to football players who signed a professional contract, appeared on a pro roster, or declared for the NFL Draft without withdrawing. The SEC followed later that day with a broader rule covering athletes connected to the NFL, NBA or WNBA, meaning it also reaches basketball. The SEC’s vote was likewise unanimous.
The rules follow a string of court decisions that have complicated the NCAA’s eligibility rules. In June, the NCAA voted to give most players five years to complete five seasons of competition, but did not extend that change to athletes who graduated high school in 2022. Many of those players had exhausted their eligibility last spring, and a number have since gone to court arguing they were unfairly cut off from a fifth season and from the chance to earn NIL money. Several judges have sided with the players, granting temporary eligibility that has allowed some to rejoin rosters — including a handful who had already signed with pro teams.
LSU became the focal point of the controversy after coach Lane Kiffin moved to add defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright, both of whom had been on NFL rosters before being released in training camp. LSU also added former St. John’s basketball standout R.J. Luis Jr., who won a court ruling permitting him to sign with coach Will Wade’s program despite having briefly been under contract with NBA teams.
Kiffin has defended the additions by pointing to the court orders, saying on “The Pat McAfee Show” that the affected class of players “were cleared” by courts and comparing the situation to past rulings involving other players granted extra eligibility. He also said on the same program that he does not believe professional athletes generally belong back in college sports, but argued the Class of 2022 players represent a distinct group wronged by the NCAA’s original eligibility decision.
Penalties differ between the two leagues. The Big Ten’s punishment, modeled on the NCAA’s transfer-related enforcement structure, includes a half-season suspension for the head coach and a fine tied to a percentage of the program’s football budget. The SEC has not detailed its specific penalties, but commissioner Greg Sankey is expected to have broad authority to determine punishment on a case-by-case basis.
The Atlantic Coast and Big 12 conferences are expected to discuss similar measures Wednesday. Several coaches have said they’d like to see even tougher consequences, including forfeited games. Both conferences have also renewed calls for Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, legislation that would shield the NCAA from some of the lawsuits currently upending eligibility rules — though that bill remains weeks from a vote.
The rules are widely expected to face legal challenges. Meanwhile, the college football season opens Saturday with TCU facing North Carolina in Ireland, as coaches and administrators continue to describe the sport’s governance structure as being in flux.
