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.
The Big Ten has passed a rule forbidding NFL players from returning to college and suiting up for a member school, the conference announced on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The motion was passed unanimously both by the league's athletic directors and its faculty athletic representatives.The measure applies to underclassmen who declared for the NFL draft and didn’t withdraw, appeared on a professional roster or signed a contract with a professional team, which would extend the rule’s scope beyond just the NFL.While the rule pertains to just football, the conference said in a statement that it "continues to evaluate potential rules restricting professional athletes in other sports from conference competition.”
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. Additionally, Yahoo reported that SEC presidents are expected to direct athletic directors against adding professional players and doing so under the threat of penalty, as league bylaws allow conference commissioner Greg Sankey and university presidents to deem a player ineligible.
The ACC and SEC declined to comment on the matter in emails to USA TODAY Sports. Similar requests to the Big Ten and Big 12 were not immediately returned.
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."
If the various conferences implement these rules, they're likely to face legal challenges.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten passes rule banning NFL players while ACC, Big 12 mull similar rule
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