RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Amid a growing number of athletes who competed in NFL minicamps and preseason contests returning to college football over the last week, the Big Ten Conference has passed a rule banning NFL players from returning to member schools.
Multiple reports Aug. 25 stated the rule was unanimously approved by Big Ten athletic directors.
The rule applies to underclassmen who declared for the NFL draft, didn't withdraw, and appeared on a professional roster or signed a contract with a professional team. The action comes after two players who participated in NFL minicamps announced their intention to return and play for LSU: tight end Dae'Quan Wright and lineman Zxavian Harris.
A Louisiana judge granted both players a temporary restraining order against the NCAA after implementation of the new "5-for-5" rule allowing athletes to play in five seasons and abolishing redshirting rules. Several athletes who didn't sign professional contracts opted to return to school from the 2022 recruiting class, but until this week, no players who had competed in NFL minicamps were set to return.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning spoke out Aug. 22 against NFL players returning to college, saying the move is "unfair to the sport."
"I think there’s a lot of negatives that are involved around it," Lanning said. "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, and you have a limited roster limit now. So if you 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 the players that worked all summer, all spring, and put themselves in position to be ready to work for a team to have somebody come back."
Though the Big Ten is the first conference to implement the rule, several other conferences are rumored to be following suit, like the ACC and Big 12.
The SEC, where the majority of NFL players are returning to school at LSU, issued a statement against players returning but has not taken any action.
Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football and women’s basketball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at [email protected] .
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