The Big Ten has passed a rule preventing football players who declared for the NFL Draft or signed professional contracts from returning to college competition. The conference's athletic directors unanimously approved the rule, which also bars players who appeared on NFL rosters, and any violations will result in head coach suspensions for 50% of remaining games plus fines. The SEC later announced a similar ban.

These rulings follow Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, former Ole Miss players who parted with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints to rejoin Lane Kiffin's LSU squad under a court order granting fifth-year eligibility. Players can regain eligibility by terminating pro contracts and repaying earnings. The NCAA criticized court rulings enabling such returns, calling them destabilizing and urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. Ohio State coach Ryan Day expressed opposition to the practice while acknowledging he might consider adding cut NFL players due to current rules.