The NFL has reiterated to its teams that players returning to collegiate athletics will not be allowed to sign with any team this season. This announcement comes as several athletes attempt to rejoin college sports after their professional engagements, causing significant controversy for the NCAA.
Among such players is tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who recently cleared waivers following his release by the Cleveland Browns. Wright had plans to sign with LSU, hoping to reunite with his former Ole Miss coach, Lane Kiffin. However, the NFL has made it clear that any player who has signed an NFL contract and then released will remain a free agent. Such players can join either another NFL team or a CFL team, but returning to college renders them unavailable for the current season.
Additionally, if players released by an NFL team go back to college for the 2026 season, they will still hold free-agent status. They will not have the eligibility to enter future NFL Drafts as per the memo obtained by ESPN.
Besides Wright, Zxavian Harris, who was cut by the New Orleans Saints, is also anticipated to join LSU under Kiffin’s coaching. Both he and Wright were teammates during Ole Miss’ successful College Football Playoff run last season, with Lane Kiffin taking the LSU head coach position mid-season.
Interestingly, both players received a temporary restraining order allowing them another year of college football eligibility. Despite this, the SEC and Big Ten, with the future addition of the ACC and Big 12, have established new eligibility criteria. These guidelines disallow players like Wright, who have involved themselves in professional sports, from returning to collegiate athletics.
Under the policies from the SEC and Big Ten, athletes who have signed with pro teams, declared for the NFL Draft, or participated in professional training camps are deemed ineligible for conference play.
Attorney Ryan Downton remarked on these developments, highlighting ongoing legal efforts against the NCAA and corresponding conferences. He described the SEC’s actions as going against court orders, comparing them to cartel-like behavior when conferences attempt to alter regulations in response to judicial decisions.