The Big Ten and the SEC have each adopted new eligibility rules that bar football players who have signed professional contracts or declared for the NFL draft from competing in college football, a response to recent antitrust litigation that granted athletes an additional year of eligibility.
New eligibility restrictions target professional‑draft athletes
Under the Big Ten’s policy, any player who has signed a professional contract, appeared on a professional roster, or entered the NFL draft without withdrawing from collegiate play is declared ineligible for conference competition.
The SEC’s rule expands the scope, making athletes ineligible if they have ever been listed on an NFL, NBA or WNBA roster or have declared for any of those drafts, regardless of whether a contract was subsequently signed.
Conference officials say the measures are designed to preserve the collegiate character of the sport while the NCAA navigates a $2.8 billion settlement that will begin distributing revenue to athletes in the 2025 fall semester.
Conference responses reflect a unified front
The ACC is expected to follow suit on Wednesday, according to On3, as the three power‑conference leagues coordinate their approach to the evolving eligibility landscape.
Players who have been waived from NFL training camps may now retain a fifth year of college eligibility in 2026, prompting the conferences to act quickly to close perceived loopholes.
Broader implications for the college game
The coordinated restrictions could reshape recruitment strategies and alter the traditional pipeline that feeds talent from college into professional leagues, while the forthcoming revenue‑sharing model promises a new financial footing for student‑athletes.