Last week, a Louisiana state judge granted a temporary restraining order allowing a group of players who participated in NFL training camp and preseason to return to college. As a result, conferences are working to prevent that scenario from becoming a reality.
On Tuesday, the Big Ten became the first conference to vote to implement a rule banning NFL players from returning to college, the conference confirmed in a statement. The votes were unanimous.
The rule will “prohibit football players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point, or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition at a conference institution,” the Big Ten said.
The SEC was also meeting on Tuesday, and is expected to discuss eligibility rules, FOS confirmed. The ACC and Big 12 are reportedly having similar conversations, though it is unclear how formal they are or what exact rule changes they are considering.
In addition, the American is considering a similar conference-wide ban on NFL players, a source confirmed to FOS.
