08/26/26 05:17:00
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08/26 17:16 CDT NFL says players who return to college will be ineligible to
play in 2026 as ACC, Big 12 weigh topic
NFL says players who return to college will be ineligible to play in 2026 as
ACC, Big 12 weigh topic
ATLANTA (AP) --- Players who leave the NFL to return to college won't be
allowed to come back to the league this season.
NFL executive Troy Vincent reiterated the longstanding policy at the league's
meetings Wednesday, saying players who go back to college will be ineligible to
play in 2026. Vincent said any player who does that would instead become a free
agent for the 2027 season.
The comments came one day after the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences banned
players who were on NFL rosters from being able to play at their schools.
Atlantic Coast and Big 12 conference leaders were also discussing the topic
this week.
At least two players who signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents this
offseason were hoping to return to college and play at No. 11 LSU.
Tight end Dae'Quan Wright originally signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted
free agent out of Mississippi following the draft. He was waived by the Eagles
on Aug. 10 and claimed by Cleveland the following day. He spent about two weeks
with the Browns without playing in an exhibition game before being waived on
Monday. He cleared waivers Tuesday and now wants to go to LSU to play for his
former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin.
Defensive lineman Zxavian Harris signed with New Orleans in May as an undrafted
free agent out of Ole Miss and participated in the offseason program. He was
placed on the non-football injury list at the start of training camp in July
and was waived Aug. 8. He wasn't claimed by any team and also wants to go back
to college to play for Kiffin.
Both players entered the NFL draft because they had used up their four years of
eligibility. The NCAA announced a rule change in June allowing players who
began college in 2023 or later to have five years to play five years of sports
in college.
That rule didn't apply to Wright and Harris, who entered college in 2022 but
they are among the players who have sued the NCAA, arguing they're being
deprived of education and potential NIL financial benefits by being excluded
from the rule.
Cal football general manager Ron Rivera said Wednesday he hopes the ACC joins
the Big Ten and SEC in turning away former pros.
"I think when somebody makes a decision, goes in a certain direction, I think
they've made their decision," said Rivera, a former NFL player and coach. "I'm
disappointed that people are looking for ways to cheat the system or beat the
system."
In Tennessee, the state's Court of Appeals granted the NCAA's motion that puts
on hold an order that would have given former Vanderbilt player Jalen
Washington and 18 other basketball players a fifth year of eligibility.
The ruling gives the NCAA a win in ongoing litigation across the nation in
federal and state courts involving college athletes who contend they should get
a fifth year of competition under revised NCAA eligibility rules adopted in
June.
Washington, who transferred to Tennessee, and the other plaintiffs are now
ineligible pending resolution of the NCAA's appeal of the lower court's ruling.
Washington was the lead plaintiff in a complaint filed July 6 by the Texas
Trial Group seeking the injunction. Others included Chendall Weaver, last at
Texas; A.J. Storr of Mississippi; Jason Edwards of Providence; and Daniel
Egbuniwe of St. Bonaventure.
The NCAA also has won stays of injunctions in Ohio and New Jersey state courts
and in a federal court in Colorado.
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