RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Big Ten conference is officially putting its foot down when it comes to NFL players returning to college football.
In a week when LSU earned commitments from not one, but two players who have NFL experience, ESPN's Pete Thamel confirmed the Big Ten stands firmly against that.
While it may put the Big Ten at a disadvantage against SEC schools in both the regular season and College Football Playoffs, this is a massive rule that could shake up the landscape of college football.
"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," Thamel wrote. "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 Ten roster."
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 Here in the modern era of college football, the transfer portal and NIL have gotten out of control. Now, eligibility issues have come to light, and the Big Ten is doing everything in its power to take a stand and be the first conference to officially ban NFL players from returning to the college level.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Report: Big Ten bans NFL players from returning to the conference
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