Push to Ban NFL Players From College Football Playoff Gaining Momentum
The College Football Playoffs could be off the table for teams that allow professional athletes to join their rosters.
The push to bar NFL athletes from participating in the College Football Playoff is gaining traction, according to reports. Recent court rulings and restraining orders have enabled several players to extend their NCAA eligibility to a fifth year. As college conferences grapple with the return of former NFL stars to collegiate football, the College Football Playoff might exclude teams that allow professional players on their rosters.
Sources indicate that CFP leaders are set to meet to decide on implementing a policy that would bar teams with professional athletes from competing in the postseason tournament. The Big Ten was the first conference to prohibit professional players from returning to college athletics. Now, the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 have also endorsed rules prohibiting professional players from joining college rosters.
Despite these rules, some athletes who have had NFL connections remain eligible. For instance, UCLA transfer Trent Hendrick remains eligible for the 2026 season despite participating in rookie minicamps and organized team activities with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. Hendrick entered the 2026 NFL Draft after his senior year, but he did not sign a contract nor join a professional roster, thus retaining his eligibility.
However, the future of athletes like Hendrick remains uncertain as discussions continue about the role of professional players in college sports.
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