Eric Olson

The Big Ten unanimously adopted a rule barring football players who have signed professional contracts, appeared on professional rosters, or declared for the NFL draft without withdrawing from returning to competition at its schools. The move follows lawsuits and court rulings challenging NCAA eligibility rules, including former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright’s potential return to LSU after being waived by the Cleveland Browns. Coaches and conferences described the situation as chaotic, harmful to current and prospective college athletes, and evidence of weak national governance. The SEC also opposed professional athletes returning to college and urged Congress to regulate college sports, while other major conferences considered their responses.