08/27/26 04:02:00
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08/27 15:46 CDT ACC becomes fourth and final power conference to approve
banning players who were on NFL rosters
ACC becomes fourth and final power conference to approve banning players who
were on NFL rosters
By AARON BEARD
AP Sports Writer
The Atlantic Coast Conference has joined its power conference peers in banning
players who were on NFL rosters from returning to college football.
The ACC's ban approved Thursday also covers professional athletes returning to
college to play men's or women's college basketball. It comes a day after the
Big 12's ruling and followed moves by the SEC and Big Ten earlier this week.
"The ACC Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution directing the
Commissioner to enforce certain eligibility requirements when an athlete seeks
to return to collegiate participation after intentionally pursuing a
professional career," the ACC said in a statement.
This all has been in response to a rule change passed by the NCAA granting
future athletes five years of eligibility. The change has spawned lawsuits
seeking to open that rule to players whose four-year careers ended earlier this
year --- even leading to the once unthinkable notion of players leaving
college, signing with professional teams and then returning to college.
At least two players who signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents this
offseason were hoping to return to college and play for No. 11 LSU.
"Just to me, that's kind of a cutoff, when a guy goes pro," N.C. State football
coach Dave Doeren said after Thursday's practice. "And we say ?Goodbye, good
luck,' and we move on. And there shouldn't be the ability to come back. If it's
the Big Ten, SEC --- it doesn't matter to me: it's an amateurism rule."
Under the ACC resolution, a school is not permitted to include an individual on
its football or men's or women's basketball roster when he or she:
--- Has previously declared for an NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft and did not
appropriately withdraw consistent with NCAA requirements to retain eligibility;
--- Signed a contract with the NFL (or other professional football league),
NBA/G-League, WNBA (or affiliate) or any team that is a member of any such
league.
--- Been listed on any roster for an NFL (or other professional football
league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team.
"The Board's action reflects the ACC's commitment to preserving college sports
as an opportunity for college students that is clearly distinct from
professional sports, protecting opportunities for current and future
student-athletes, and promoting competitive equity," the ACC said. "As the
eligibility landscape continues to evolve, the ACC will remain steadfast in its
support for standards that are consistent with the educational mission of
college athletics."
The Big 12's rule bars its schools from adding professional athletes in
football or any other conference-sponsored sport. The league said its rule
would apply independently of the status of NCAA eligibility determinations.
The SEC rule approved Tuesday banned players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA
or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues. The Big Ten only included
football in its decision and is expected to later address other sports.
On Wednesday, the NFL made it clear that players who leave the NFL to return to
college won't be allowed to come back to the league this season.
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