College football’s eligibility landscape took another chaotic turn this month when a Louisiana court granted temporary extra eligibility to a group of players, including several who had already signed with NFL teams and participated in preseason activities.
The Big Ten responded quickly. The conference unanimously adopted a rule that prevents those players and any others who have signed professional contracts or appeared on pro rosters from competing for its 18 member schools.
For Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten, that decision means the Buckeyes will not face returning professionals on conference opponents’ rosters this season.
What Happened
A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order allowing 16 football players from the 2022 high school class an additional year of eligibility. Several of those players had already entered NFL training camps or appeared on preseason rosters.
Notable names include former LSU EDGE Jack Pyburn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), former Ole Miss defensive lineman Xzavion (Zxavian) Harris, former Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), and former Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson.
The ruling opened a one-week window for these athletes to enter the transfer portal. Some, including Harris and others, have already done so, with programs outside the Big Ten expressing interest.
In response, Big Ten athletic directors unanimously approved a conference rule. It prohibits any player who has signed a professional contract, appeared on a professional roster, or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing from maintaining eligibility at a Big Ten school.
Why This Matters
The line between college and professional football has blurred with NIL, the transfer portal, and ongoing legal challenges to NCAA rules. Allowing players who have already experienced NFL camps and paychecks to return would create significant competitive and roster-management issues.
By acting first, the Big Ten protected roster stability for its programs. Coaches who have built their 2026 teams through the spring and summer will not suddenly lose depth chart spots or face opponents reinforced by recent professionals.
Ohio State opens the season in 11 days against Ball State. The Buckeyes and their Big Ten counterparts can prepare knowing this particular group of players is off-limits within the conference.
Key Details Fans Need to Know
The NCAA approved a “five-in-five” eligibility model in June, giving athletes five seasons of competition within five years. However, the rule did not grandfather in the 2022 high school class that had already exhausted four seasons under the previous system. That gap triggered the lawsuits and court orders.
Under the Big Ten’s new policy, violations carry serious consequences. A coach who plays a prohibited former pro faces a suspension for half the season, and the school incurs a significant fine.
Other conferences, including the SEC, have signaled similar concerns and are moving toward their own restrictions. The ACC and others are also discussing the issue.
What Happens Next
The temporary restraining order remains subject to further legal proceedings. A hearing is scheduled, and the NCAA continues to challenge these rulings. For now, the Big Ten rule stands as a clear barrier for its members.
Players granted the extra year who are not bound by the Big Ten restriction may still land at schools in other conferences. Ohio State and its league peers, however, are insulated from that specific threat.
The broader hope across college football is that the five-in-five framework, once fully implemented and legally settled, reduces the volume of these last-minute eligibility fights.
The Bigger Picture
This episode underscores how quickly legal rulings can disrupt roster planning in the current era. Conferences are increasingly willing to set their own boundaries when national rules lag or face court challenges.
For Ohio State fans, the practical outcome is straightforward: the Buckeyes will not line up against recent NFL camp participants wearing the uniforms of Big Ten opponents in 2026. That clarity is valuable with the season about to begin.
FAQ Section
What did the Big Ten decide?
The conference unanimously banned players who signed pro contracts, appeared on pro rosters, or declared for the NFL Draft without withdrawing from competing at Big Ten schools.
Which players received extra eligibility?
A Louisiana court granted temporary fifth-year eligibility to 16 football players, including Jack Pyburn, Xzavion Harris, Wydett Williams Jr., and Anthony Hankerson.
Can these players still play college football?
Yes, but not at Big Ten schools. They may join programs in other conferences if they meet the court order’s conditions (terminating pro contracts and repaying earnings).
What is the NCAA’s five-in-five rule?
It allows athletes five seasons of competition within five years, replacing the old four-in-five model. It did not fully apply retroactively to the 2022 class.
Will other conferences follow the Big Ten?
The SEC has already moved in a similar direction, and other Power conferences are discussing comparable rules.
Reader Question
Do you support the Big Ten’s decision to ban returning NFL players, or should those athletes be allowed to compete wherever they can find a roster spot?
