All Four Power Conferences Mull Bans on Former Pros Returning to College Football

Conference leaders across the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC are currently considering policies that would prevent former professional football players from re-entering college competition. The ACC and Big 12 are reviewing bans, and the Big Ten is expected to release its policy on Tuesday. The debate was sparked by reports that Dae'Quan Wright of the Cleveland Browns and Zxavian Harris of the New Orleans Saints plan to leave the NFL and join LSU, where they previously played under coach Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss.

Kiffin defended recruiting former pros while remaining non-committal about new signings. SEC presidents met online to issue a statement opposing the return of ex-pros, and they are likely to instruct their schools to reject such athletes under threat of sanctions. A two-day meeting of SEC presidents and one outlet directors in Birmingham, Alabama, will continue the discussion. If the conferences adopt bans, they will also need to define penalties for fielding ineligible players, potentially inviting legal challenges.