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08/25 14:55 CDT Big Ten adopts rule barring players with pro contracts from
returning to play
Big Ten adopts rule barring players with pro contracts from returning to play
By ERIC OLSON
AP College Football Writer
The Big Ten became the first conference Tuesday to adopt a rule prohibiting
football players who have signed professional contracts from returning to play
at its schools as college sports finds itself mired in lawsuits and disputes
over eligibility.
The matter came to the forefront Monday when the agent for former Mississippi
tight end Dae'Quan Wright said Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a
state-level court order allowing him and others an unexpected fifth year of
eligibility despite a NCAA rule change in June impacting players who graduated
from high school in 2022.
The Big Ten said in a statement that administrators unanimously approved the
rule to 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.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.
Big Ten administrators were scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss player
eligibility a day after the agent for a player waived by the Cleveland Browns
announced his client planned to go to LSU to use his fifth season of
eligibility, The Associated Press has learned.
A person familiar with the situation said it was likely a vote would be taken
on whether to bar such players from returning to play in the conference, though
it was unclear whether athletic directors or school presidents would be voting.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten had not formally
announced its plans for addressing the matter.
Former Mississippi tight end Dae'Quan Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to
a state-level court order that is creating havoc throughout college sports by
allowing Wright and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility despite a
NCAA rule change in June impacting players who graduated from high school in
2022.
Wright's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told the AP on Monday that the tight end had
been waived by the Cleveland Browns and, if he clears waivers, will join Lane
Kiffin's roster at No. 11 LSU. Wright played two seasons for Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Wright was among a group of players who sued in a Louisiana court, saying the
new NCAA rule granting five years of eligibility to most athletes should apply
to him and others who were not "grandfathered" into the rule, which did not
include the high school Class of 2022.
The Southeastern Conference said it firmly opposes professional athletes
returning to play college sports.
"College athletes, not professional athletes, have been at the heart of the
Southeastern Conference," according to the SEC statement late Monday.
"Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing
contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to
college competition. Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college
and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns and
reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes."
The SEC concluded its statement by calling on Congress to pass a bill
regulating college sports.
Earlier this summer, a Texas judge cleared the way for quarterback Brendan
Sorsby to play at Texas Tech despite admitting to gambling in what usually
means an NCAA ban. Other members of the Big 12 Conference and the Big 12 itself
indicated strong opposition to the planned move and Sorsby eventually decided
against trying to play again in college.
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