Big Ten to pass rules to combat eligibility crisis after LSU adds NFL players

The Big Ten is getting into the fight over college sports eligibility, planning to pass a rule that will bar any of its member schools from allowing a player returning to college from the NFL to play for them. 

The rule will not let a player play for one of its member schools if they have declared for the draft and didn’t withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league, ESPN reported. 

The new rule comes on the heels of LSU’s decision to recruit two former NFL players – Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris – to play for the SEC school next season.

Dae’Quan Wright #88 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on August 22, 2026. Diamond Images/Getty Images

The pair, along with a number of other athletes, gained another year of eligibility following a seismic court ruling that has had a ripple effect across the college sports landscape. 

It has received a varying degree of responses from those in college football. 

Kiffin defended his decision to recruit the former NFL players, who also had played for him at Ole Miss, when he spoke with reporters Monday. 

“We have, you know, made a decision to recruit some kids around the country, and through these multiple injunctions around the country, which, this is not a first time in college sports, players were granted a fifth year of eligibility in multiple sports,” Kiffin said. “And through them winning their injunction and entry into the portal, they’re available to recruit. So ourselves, like many places around the country, are recruiting them.

“At the end of the day, because of these rulings, they’re either going to play for you or they’re going to play somewhere else around the country. We made a decision to recruit them, like probably most people are.”

However, the SEC released a statement asserting its belief that college athletes who sign professional contracts “should not then be permitted to return to college competition.”

Zxavian Harris at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 25, 2026. Getty Images

Ohio State coach Ryan Day acknowledged to reporters Monday that he would “have to at least consider” the chance of adding eligible players cut from NFL rosters, but also said that he did not think they should be able to be eligible to play in college football. 

“Do I like anything about it? Absolutely not,” Day told reporters. “But we got to do what’s right for Ohio State. So it’s sort of a day-to-day thing right now, and like anything, we’re just going to try to adapt.

“But I think we would all agree, maybe not everybody, but there has to be a certain point where your roster gets locked in.”