New NFL Rumors Clarify Rules on Players' Future Draft Status After Returning to CFB

With a handful of NFL players attempting to return to college football, the league has clarified how returning to the collegiate level will impact those players' draft statuses.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, any player who has signed an NFL contract and then is cut is a free agent. He can then join another NFL team, the CFL or return to college, but will be considered a free agent and won't be a part of a future draft.

Schefter also noted that a player who returns to college football this year will not be able to sign with an NFL team this season.

The ruling from the NFL comes in the aftermath of a Louisiana court passing a temporary restraining order that granted several players who have signed with NFL teams the opportunity to return to college football.

One of the most notable names in that case is former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who committed to Lane Kiffin and LSU on Tuesday after clearing waivers following his release from the Browns. If he ends up playing for the Tigers, he'll be the first player to go from an NFL roster back to college.

Max Olson of ESPN reported Thursday that Wright, former SMU running back TJ Harden, former BYU offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, former Appalachian State cornerback Ethan Johnson and former New Mexico kicker Luke Drzewiecki are entering the portal.

The SEC and Big Ten on Tuesday passed rule changes that prohibit schools in their league from adding players who have previously declared for the NFL, NBA or WNBA drafts and did not withdraw within the allowed timeframe.

The Big 12 and Notre Dame are reported to be heading in that direction as well, while the ACC will have discussions later this week.

What that rule change means for Wright and other players who have entered the portal with the intention of returning to college remains to be seen, but all parties are navigating uncharted waters.

"I feel like I took a freakin' gummy," the Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters when asked about NFL players returning to college.

While there is still plenty of figuring out to do among NFL and college athletics leaders, the league's clarification on Wednesday at least offers more of an answer about how players' draft statuses will be impacted if they go back to college.