The SEC Officially Bans Professional Athletes From Returning To Collegiate Level

The SEC has officially taken action to prevent former professional athletes from returning to college sports.

Following meetings with conference presidents, chancellors, and athletic directors on Tuesday, the SEC announced that member schools will not be permitted to roster athletes who previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA Draft and failed to withdraw by the deadline.

The policy also applies to athletes who signed professional contracts or appeared on rosters in the NFL or another professional football league, the NBA/G League, or the WNBA and its affiliates.

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Following meetings with the presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors of the Southeastern Conference, the SEC will enforce the following policy:

An SEC institution is not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has:

1. Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA Draft and did not appropriately withdraw;

2. Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team; or

3. Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster.

The commissioner is authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions.

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According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, SEC presidents voted 16-0 to approve the new policy.

The decision has immediate implications for LSU, which recently added former Ole Miss players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris after both spent time with NFL teams this offseason. Wright was with the Cleveland Browns, while Harris spent training camp with the New Orleans Saints.

LSU basketball also recently added RJ Luis Jr., who pursued an NBA career before receiving another opportunity to play collegiately.

This new SEC rule immediately makes Luis ineligible again to play for LSU and opens the school to penalties if it signs Wright or Harris.

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