Power conferences are cracking down on professional players attempting to return to college.
The Big Ten has announced its unanimous adoption of a rule to prevent 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 returning to compete within the conference.
Following the Big Ten’s statement, the SEC shared that it would be implementing the same policy for both football and basketball.
These measures have come as scores of recently-graduated seniors are seeking to be part of the NCAA’s new “five in five” eligibility system and receive a fifth year of college eligibility through legal action.
Dozens of state injunctions and temporary restraining orders have been granted to athletes — including BYU basketball commit Jaxon Kohler — to continue their college careers.
But controversy has emerged as athletes currently in professional circles have attempted to return to college.
Among the most notable such cases is undrafted free agent tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who recently agreed to join LSU’s football program after being waived by the Cleveland Browns.
Additionally, LSU men’s basketball has signed RJ Luis Jr., a former Utah Jazz two-way contract signee who declared for the 2025 NBA draft.
While neither Wright nor Luis appeared in a single regular or preseason NFL, NBA or G League contest, their having signed contracts and been listed on professional rosters currently removes their college eligibility, barring any future successful legal action.
Following the Big Ten and SEC’s lead, the Big 12 is “considering a league-wide policy banning pro players returning to the conference,” according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.
Dellenger has also reported the ACC to be pondering the same measure, potentially putting all four power conferences and Notre Dame on the same page regarding ex-professional eligibility.
There is still one key wrinkle within the issue that must be ironed out — NBA summer league.
It’s still unclear whether playing in the summer league would automatically disqualify a player from further college eligibility. However, declaring early for the draft without properly withdrawing, or signing either a two-way or Exhibit 10 contract, are already automatic disqualifiers in the SEC.
But Exhibit 10 contracts present a unique dilemma for the NCAA. A number of players — including Kohler, who played in four summer league games for the Jazz — merely agreed to Exhibit 10 deals without actually signing them, which is a standard practice for players wishing to compete in summer league.
Thus, since Kohler and others never put pen to paper on a contract, they may have a legal loophole for going from the summer league back to college.
As the situation currently stands, Kohler is still eligible to play for BYU this season, unless the Big 12’s soon-to-be enacted policy specifically restricts his circumstances or his California injunction somehow falls through, though the latter is considered to be highly unlikely.
