SEC and Big Ten Ban Return of Pro Drafted Players

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has instituted a new rule prohibiting players who have been drafted or listed on rosters of NFL, NBA, or WNBA teams from returning to college sports. This decision aligns with the Big Ten, which announced a similar rule focusing on football.

These measures follow recent court orders allowing some released pro players to re-enter college, leading to a notable increase in such attempts. Both the SEC and the Big Ten aim to clarify their positions on this evolving issue by establishing clear boundaries.

In particular, the SEC has expanded its restrictions to encompass more sports compared to the Big Ten’s football-specific rule. This move affects colleges within these conferences, like LSU, where Coach Lane Kiffin’s team included Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. Both players had brief NFL tryouts and were subsequently released.

The policy changes send a strong message to prevent professional league veterans from circling back into college, maintaining the integrity of college sports.