{
  "id": 3599633,
  "title": "NFL says players who return to college will be ineligible to play in 2026 as ACC, Big 12 weigh topic",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/nfl-says-players-who-return-to-college-will-be-ineligible-to-play-in-3599633",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T21:49:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/uncategorized/2026/08/26/nfl-says-players-who-return-to-college-will-be-ineligible-to-play-in-2026-as-acc-big-12-weigh-topic"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NFL officials have declared that athletes who return to college after playing in the league will be barred from resuming their NFL careers starting in 2026. Troy Vincent, an NFL executive, confirmed this stance during the league's recent meetings. He explained that players who choose to return to college would be placed on the free-agent market for the 2027 season instead. This decision follows the actions of the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences, which have recently prohibited former NFL players from joining their institutions. Additionally, discussions on the matter are ongoing between the Atlantic Coast and Big 12 conferences. Two undrafted free agents, Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, are among those considering returning to college at LSU and Ole Miss, respectively. Both players entered the NFL draft after exhausting their college eligibility. The NCAA recently expanded the rule allowing players to play for five years in college, but this rule does not apply to Wright and Harris. Some athletes have filed lawsuits against the NCAA, arguing that they are being denied both an education and potential NIL financial gains due to this exclusion. Cal football general manager Ron Rivera expressed disappointment in the situation, stating that former players should be allowed to pursue their college dreams without being penalized.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "NFL says players who return to college will be ineligible to play in 2026 as ACC, Big 12 weigh topic",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/nfl-says-players-who-return-to-college-will-be-ineligible-to-play-in",
        "published": "2026-08-26T21:48:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}