Big Ten Passes Rule Change Banning NFL Players from Returning to CFB, Potential Discipline Revealed

The Big Ten unanimously passed a rule on Tuesday that will prevent NFL players from returning to college and suiting up for a team in the conference, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Per Thamel, any player who declared for the NFL draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a professional league will not be allowed on a Big Ten roster.

On Monday, the SEC released a statement saying that it opposed NFL players returning to college football.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that tight end Dae'Quan Wright had agreed to join for LSU for the school's 2026 campaign after clearing waivers following his exit from the Cleveland Browns.

Former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris committed to LSU after the New Orleans Saints waived him, as well.

They're among the 16 players who are now eligible to receive a fifth year after a Louisiana court granted them a temporary restraining order.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day previously weighed in on the situation, as he was open to potentially adding eligible players that were waived by their respective NFL teams despite not agreeing with the overall concept.

"Do I like anything about it? Absolutely not," Day said, per ESPN's Heather Dinich. "But we got to do what's right for Ohio State. So it's sort of a day-to-day thing right now, and like anything, we're just going to try to adapt."

Meanwhile, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was against the situation.

"I think there are a lot of negatives that are involved around this," Lanning told reporters. "One, once you go to the NFL, to me, you're in the NFL. You don't get the opportunity to come back. Two, most of us have built our rosters. You have a limited roster now.

"So if you've invited somebody back to your team, that means you're kicking somebody else off your team to match your roster limits. I don't think that's fair to players who worked all summer, all spring, and put themselves in position to be ready to work for a team."