NFL says players who return to college will be ineligible to play in 2026 as ACC, Big 12 weigh topic

ATLANTA (AP) — Players who leave the NFL to return to college won’t be allowed to come back to the league this season.

NFL executive Troy Vincent reiterated the longstanding policy at the league’s meetings Wednesday, saying players who go back to college will be ineligible to play in 2026. Vincent said any player who does that would instead become a free agent for the 2027 season.

The comments came one day after the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences banned players who were on NFL rosters from being able to play at their schools. Atlantic Coast and Big 12 conference leaders were also discussing the topic this week.

At least two players who signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents this offseason were hoping to re...