The Atlantic Coast Conference unanimously adopted a rule banning players on NFL rosters from returning to college football. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
This decision is the latest among the four major conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC) to ban players from returning to college football. The Big Ten and SEC implemented their plans on Tuesday, while the Big 12 followed on Wednesday.
In its statement, the ACC said its board of directors had unanimously adopted its resolution. The league said: "The board's action reflects the ACC's commitment to preserving college sports as an opportunity for college students that is clearly distinct from professional sports, protecting opportunities for current and future student-athletes, and promoting competitive equity."
This is in response to an NCAA rule change granting future athletes five years of eligibility. The change has spawned lawsuits seeking to open that rule to players whose four-year careers ended earlier this year, even leading to the once unthinkable notion of players leaving college, signing with professional teams and then returning to college.
At least two players who signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents this offseason were hoping to play for No. 11 LSU. N.C. State football coach Dave Doeren said: "Just to me, that's kind of a cutoff, when a guy goes pro. And we say 'Goodbye, good luck,' and we move on. And there shouldn't be the ability to come back."
This decision aims to bring order amid the chaos growing through legal challenges and the pursuit of loopholes to NCAA eligibility rules. The conferences have stated that the ban applies not only to football but also to men's and women's basketball.