Big Ten Conference bans pro football players from playing at any of its schools amid uproar over NCAA eligibility

By The Associated Press
August 25, 2026 | 3:51 PM

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — Big Ten Conference bans pro football players from playing at any of its schools amid uproar over NCAA eligibility.

SEC joins Big Ten in banning pros from returning to college, including basketball players

By The Associated Press
August 25, 2026 | 7:45 PM

The Southeastern Conference passed a rule Tuesday banning players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues, joining the Big Ten in taking a strong stand against this month's unexpected surge of pro players trying to return to college. The SEC's rule differs from the one adopted by the Big Ten, which only included football in its decision released earlier in the day. Combined, it leaves little doubt about where the nation's two biggest conferences stand in the wake of court orders that were allowing players who had been on pro rosters, then released, to return back to college. The SEC rule puts LSU on notice. This week, Tigers coach Lane Kiffin added Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, a pair of undrafted players out of Mississippi who had tryouts in the NFL over the summer, but were released by their teams during training camp.

Related Stories