College Football’s Evolving Rules on NFL Rookies Returning

The college football landscape keeps changing, especially in the NIL era. For the first time, players who were on NFL rosters may return to college football.

A judge in Louisiana issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) granting several NFL rookies the chance to return for a fifth year of college eligibility, even though they had played professionally.

These players can compete in the NCAA next season if they choose. However, the Big Ten conference has decided to ban them from playing in their league.

“Sources: The Big Ten is set to pass a rule today that doesn’t allow players to return from the NFL and play for a Big Ten school,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on X. “Anyone who has declared for the NFL Draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster, or signed a contract with a pro league cannot be on a Big Ten roster.”

The Big Ten’s decision stands out because other conferences might follow. The SEC is considering a similar ban. This development affects LSU head coach Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin has already recruited two NFL rookies who were recently cut from their teams—Cleveland Browns’ tight end Dae’Quan Wright and New Orleans Saints’ defensive lineman Zxavian Harris. Both played for Kiffin last season at Ole Miss. They are expected to compete for starting positions on a national championship contender.

If the SEC applies a similar ban, neither player could join Kiffin in Baton Rouge. They would likely have to enter the transfer portal. Any other notable players considering a return for another college season would also be out of Kiffin’s reach.

Four additional NFL rookies—Seattle Seahawks’ running back TJ Harden from SMU, Seahawks’ running back Anthony Hankerson from Oregon State, Arizona Cardinals’ safety Wydett Williams Jr. from Ole Miss, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ linebacker Jack Pyburn from LSU—were granted a fifth year of college eligibility.