The SEC and Big Ten both adopted rules Tuesday banning athletes from returning to conference schools after having played professionally. The Big Ten's rule is specific to football players; any athlete who declared for the NFL draft and didn't withdraw their name, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league cannot be on a Big Ten team. The SEC took things even further, applying the same rule across men's and women's basketball.
These new restrictions come on the heels of court orders allowing some outgoing NCAA athletes to return to college for a fifth year after already going pro. In a perfect world, college coach's would simply reject those players. But when winning (and job stability) is their biggest objective, that was
never realistic.
So, the SEC and Big Ten are protecting coaches from themselves. And more conferences should follow suit to maintain at least a little order in the dysfunctional world of college athletics.
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As the two biggest and most powerful leagues in college, it makes sense the Big Ten and SEC are first. Especially as the SEC was set to become the first conference to allow a pro to return. Undrafted tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who spent training camp with the Cleveland Browns after playing for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, had a deal in place to play for Kiffin at LSU. The Tigers were also set to bring in basketball player RJ Luis, who's a full year removed from college and has signed multiple NBA contracts.
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Luis and Wright were both part of the high school recruiting class of 2022, which wasn't grandfathered into the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule, and among the players who received temporary restraining orders clearing the way for their return.
The players' logic is simple. If you can't make a pro team, why not go back to college where you can continue to develop while also making NIL money? And of course some coaches would gladly welcome back pseudo-professionals who can help them win. Which is why guardrails needed to be put in place to stop it.
Besides throwing rosters in flux and forcing out athletes who thought they made a team to make room for somebody who decided the backtrack, the decision to move on has been and should always be final. Allowing athletes to return, even for one year, sets a bad precedent and creates a slippery slope where non-class of 2022 players might seek a way back. The only question now is if the conference rules will hold up in court.
Dolly Parton dies at 80
The family of country music legend Dolly Parton announced Tuesday that the beloved singer died at 80. FTW remembered Parton with tributes, throwback moments and more.
- Cory Woodroof: Dolly Parton was the best of us
- 14 photos of Dolly Parton over the years
- Parton's greatest songs | Parton's best movie roles
- Remembering Parton's incredible Cowboys Thanksgiving performance
- Fans left touching tributes to Parton at her star in Hollywood
- Dolly Parton got a perfect Empire State Building tribute
- Eminem shares Parton letter that impacted him
- Billy Ray Cyrus paid tribute to Miley's godmother in touching post
Photo of the Day
Quick hits: Unacceptable ad ... NFL uniform rankings ... and more
- Callaway and Good Good Golf issued apologies for a controversial ad that's been deleted from social media after drawing criticism for making light of violence against women.
- FTW's Christian D'Andrea ranked each of the NFL's new "Rivalries" uniforms, with the Colts at the very bottom.
- 5 teams who could trade for star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. as negotiations with the Steelers hit a snag.
- Quinn Hughes trade rumors are heating up after the latest report on his negotiations with the Wild.
- Bryson DeChambeau made his first public appearance with rumored girlfriend Mikayla Demaiter.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: SEC, Big Ten ban on pros returning to college will protect coaches from themselves
