The National Football League has reiterated a longstanding policy that effectively bans any player who leaves the league to return to college football from signing with an NFL club for the remainder of the current year and until 2027. The directive was communicated to teams in a memo from NFL executive Troy Vincent.
The policy applies to any player who has signed an NFL Player Contract that is subsequently terminated by an NFL club. While such players may return to college football subject to NCAA eligibility rules, they are prohibited from joining an NFL club for the rest of that calendar year. An NFL club that signs a player violating this rule faces discipline from the Commissioner, potentially including the loss of draft selections and negotiating rights.
This clarification comes as several players have sought to return to college programs after participating in NFL training camps. Notably, LSU has reportedly reached agreements with former Ole Miss players Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright, both of whom had been on NFL rosters. Harris signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and was later waived, while Wright cleared waivers after being cut by the Cleveland Browns.
These attempts to return to college coincide with ongoing litigation regarding NCAA eligibility. A group of 2022 recruits filed a lawsuit seeking a fifth year of eligibility, and a Louisiana judge granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. However, conference-level decisions are impacting these players' ability to play college football.
Conference Policies
The Big 12 Conference, following similar decisions by the SEC and Big Ten, has announced a ban on players who were on NFL rosters from returning to college programs. These conference rules, which apply independently of NCAA eligibility determinations, prohibit schools from signing athletes who have declared for a professional draft or have been listed on a professional roster or signed a contract with a professional sports league.
The SEC's rule, approved Tuesday, bars players drafted by or listed on the rosters of the NFL, NBA, or WNBA. The Big Ten's decision currently pertains only to football.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin has defended his program's recruitment of players potentially affected by these rulings, citing injunctions that made some players available. Kiffin stated that his program, like many others, is recruiting these athletes because they are eligible to play either at LSU or elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in separate litigation, a Tennessee court has placed a hold on an order that would have granted former Vanderbilt basketball player Jalen Washington and 18 other players a fifth year of eligibility. The NCAA has also secured stays of injunctions in other federal and state courts related to athletes seeking extended eligibility.