RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Big Ten announced a ruling Tuesday morning that would ban players returning from the NFL to play for a Big Ten school.
Sources: The Big Ten is set to pass a rule today that doesn’t allow players to return from the NFL and play for a Big Ten school. Anyone who has declared for the NFL Draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league cannot be on a Big…
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 25, 2026
The ruling comes after Dae’Quan Wright, a tight end for the Cleveland Browns, announced his intentions to leave the NFL and join his previous head coach from a year ago, Lane Kiffin, at LSU.
While college basketball has seen its fair share of similar instances, this was the first case in college football, with many more likely to pursue the option to return to college.
Although the Big Ten has been the first conference to ban former NFL players from playing in their conference, there is an expectation that the SEC will have similar talks regarding a ruling.
Following comments made by Bret Bielema last week, this could have notable repercussions for Illinois.
Former Illini wide receiver Hank Beatty and offensive lineman Melvin Priestly were prime candidates to return prior to the ruling.
Bielema had mentioned an interest in recruiting them to return to Illinois if both were eligible.
Both would have been great additions to the roster this fall, but as it stands, the Illinois roster appears to be set ahead of its season opener on September 3rd against UAB.
At a time when college athletics is akin to the Wild West, a ruling such as this provides a rare win for the NCAA to create a more stable league.
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