The SEC on Monday issued a statement emphasizing its belief that athletes who choose to leave college athletics and sign professional contracts "should not then be permitted to return to college competition."
The fundamental principle of NCAA eligibility has been called into question again in recent days following a flurry of news about former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who hopes to clear waivers with the Cleveland Browns so he can return to college and play for LSU in what would be his fifth season of eligibility. Wright's highly publicized situation is unprecedented, but it could become part of a trend this year because of an ongoing legal fight between the NCAA and athletes who are pursuing a fifth year of eligibility.
Wright dressed for the Browns' preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday but didn't play. He's also currently available in the NCAA transfer portal after a judge in Louisiana granted him a temporary restraining order and an opportunity to return to college for a fifth year of eligibility.
Another athlete, star basketball player RJ Luis Jr., received a temporary injunction to play for LSU this season from a Louisiana judge on Monday, despite signing multiple NBA contracts.
On Monday evening, the SEC presidents and chancellors held a videoconference before releasing the following statement:
"College athletes, not former professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference. Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition.
"Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns, and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.
"College sports are for college athletes. The current confusion around national eligibility standards emphasizes the need to advance the Protect College Sports Act."
Wright began his college career in 2022 and played four college seasons before going pro. The NCAA changed its eligibility rules in June to allow athletes to play five seasons within a five-year timespan, but the reform didn't grandfather in outgoing athletes like Wright from the 2022 class. Now the NCAA is facing multiple lawsuits from athletes who were denied a chance to come back for their fifth year.
The SEC presidents and chancellors will meet in Birmingham, Alabama, with their conference athletic directors and commissioner Greg Sankey on Tuesday and Wednesday in meetings that had been previously scheduled. Most of the discussion is expected to focus on the overall future of college athletics, the latest eligibility issue, and the SEC's options for creating its own rules if federal legislation isn't passed.