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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 26, 2026Miami-Dade

NFL prohibits players who return to college from playing in the 2026 season

The NFL has confirmed that any player who leaves the league to return to college will be ineligible to play in the NFL for the 2026 season. These players will instead be designated as free agents for the 2027 season. This policy follows recent decisions by major college conferences to ban players with NFL roster experience from returning to their college teams.

sportscollege athleticsNFLNCAAeligibility rules
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Why It Matters

This policy change impacts the career paths and eligibility of professional football players who seek to return to college, effectively forcing a choice between professional status and collegiate participation.

Key Facts

  • NFL players who return to college are ineligible to play in the NFL for the 2026 season.
  • Players who return to college will become free agents for the 2027 season.
  • The Southeastern (SEC) and Big Ten conferences have banned players with NFL roster experience from playing at their schools.
  • The Atlantic Coast (ACC) and Big 12 conferences are currently discussing similar bans.
  • The NCAA adopted a rule in June 2023 allowing five years of eligibility for athletes who began college in 2023 or later.
  • Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris are seeking to return to college after being waived by NFL teams.
  • A Tennessee Court of Appeals granted a stay in favor of the NCAA, preventing 19 basketball players from receiving a fifth year of eligibility pending appeal.
  • The NCAA has successfully won stays of injunctions regarding eligibility in Ohio, New Jersey, and federal court in Colorado.

Who's Mentioned

personJalen Washington“College athlete involved in eligibility litigation”organizationNCAA“Governing body for college athletics”personZxavian Harris“NFL player seeking to return to college”personLane Kiffin“College coach”organizationLSU“University”organizationCleveland Browns“NFL team”personTroy Vincent“NFL executive who reiterated the league's policy”organizationNew Orleans Saints“NFL team”personDae'Quan Wright“NFL player seeking to return to college”other11“Ranking of LSU”personRon Rivera“Cal football general manager”organizationPhiladelphia Eagles“NFL team”other12“Number of players”other25“Top 25 poll”other18“Number of basketball players”