RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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What was already an eventful and dizzying offseason in college football got a bit more surreal over the past several days, with players who had been with NFL teams during the preseason and in training camp making the once-unthinkable move back to college.
Now, arguably the biggest, most powerful entity in college athletics is trying to do something about it.
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The Big Ten is set to pass a rule that would forbid NFL players from returning to college and suiting up for a Big Ten school, according to a report from ESPN on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The report added that the measure would apply to anyone who declared for the NFL draft and didn’t withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a professional team, which would extend the rule’s scope beyond just the NFL.
The impending action comes after LSU is set to add two players, tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris , who played for new Tigers coach Lane Kiffin at Mississippi before signing NFL contracts. Both players were granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA by a Louisiana judge. Other college players who spent time with NFL franchises during the preseason, such as former Oregon State and Colorado running back Anthony Hankerson, are exploring a return to the college game.
The Big Ten may not be alone, either.
According to a report Tuesday from Yahoo Sports, the ACC and Big 12 are also set to explore a ban on professional players. If that comes to fruition, three of the Power Four conferences in college football would have a prohibition of some sort in place.
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The SEC, the league where much of this pro-to-college activity has been unfolding, issued a statement on Aug. 24 saying former professional athletes should not be permitted to return to college, but stopped short of any sort of action. That could come today, though, when SEC presidents and athletic directors convene for a two-day meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.
"College athletes, not former professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference . Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition," the statement read. "Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns, and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Big Ten to pass rule banning NFL players while ACC, Big 12 mull similar rule
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