Big Ten Not Allowing NFL Players To Return To College Football: REPORT

August 25, 2026 3:40 PM ET Keeping it pure college, I can dig it.According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who is citing anonymous sources, the Big Ten will be passing a rule Tuesday that halts NFL players making a return to college from competing at one of its universities.A player that has declared for the NFL draft and didn’t withdraw, made an appearance on a league roster or inked a deal with a professional league is banned from being on a roster in the Big Ten, per Thamel’s sources. (RELATED: Ole Miss Allegedly Gets FBI To Sweep For Bugs Following Lane Kiffin’s Departure To LSU)Athletic directors in the Big Ten have unanimously approved the new rule, per Thamel’s sources, but the Faculty Athletic Representatives in the conference are still required to vote in the proposal’s favor to make it an