NFL Reminds Clubs: Players Returning to College Ineligible for Pro Contracts This Season and Future Drafts

The National Football League has reinforced its guidelines to member clubs, stating that players who decide to return to collegiate sports will not be eligible to sign with a team during the current season. This clarification comes amidst a growing trend of athletes attempting to transition back to college after professional stints, creating complex eligibility questions for the NCAA. Among the players affected are tight end Dae’Quan Wright, recently released by the Cleveland Browns, and Zxavian Harris, formerly with the New Orleans Saints.

League's Stance on Returning Players

The league disseminated a memo, which outlined existing regulations, affirming that any player previously under an NFL contract who is subsequently released becomes a free agent. While such an individual is free to sign with another NFL franchise or join the Canadian Football League (CFL), their eligibility to sign with an NFL team this season is forfeited if they opt to return to college. The memo further specified that any player released by an NFL team who chooses to re-enter college for the 2026 season will maintain their free agent status but will be barred from declaring for any future NFL Draft.

College Eligibility Challenges Emerge

Dae’Quan Wright, after clearing waivers following his release from the Browns this week, was widely anticipated to join Louisiana State University (LSU). This move would have reunited him with his former Ole Miss coach, Lane Kiffin, who assumed the head coaching position at LSU mid-season last year after Brian Kelly's departure. Similarly, Zxavian Harris, who was cut by the New Orleans Saints, is also expected to sign with Kiffin at LSU. Both Wright and Harris were teammates during Ole Miss’ College Football Playoff journey last season.

Both athletes successfully obtained a temporary restraining order, which initially allowed them to return to college football and granted them an additional year of eligibility. However, shortly after Wright's waivers were cleared, new eligibility policies were unveiled by the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten Conference. These conferences, soon to be joined by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big 12 Conference in implementing similar rules, aim to prevent players like Wright who have participated professionally from re-entering college athletics.

Under these updated policies from the SEC and Big Ten, any athlete who has signed a professional contract with an NFL team, declared for the NFL Draft, or participated in any form of professional training camp will be deemed ineligible for competition within these conferences.

Legal Battle Looms

In response to these evolving regulations, attorney Ryan Downton, who represents several players seeking to return to the collegiate landscape, stated that his team is “working on a legal strategy.” This strategy aims to challenge both the NCAA and the individual conferences that have put these new eligibility guidelines into effect. The situation underscores the ongoing legal and administrative complexities facing athletes navigating the transition between professional and collegiate sports.