On Tuesday, the SEC announced new bylaws that prohibit programs from playing athletes who previously signed NBA, NFL or other professional contracts.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, the SEC has also finalized severe punishments for programs who violate that rule. The SEC will levy half-season suspension for head coaches, revoke SEC voting privileges, levy a fine up to 50% of that sport’s annual operating budget and potentially other penalties at Greg Sankey’s discretion.
Here’s Norlander’s report:
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This new rule from the SEC comes as class of 2022 athletes were attempting to return to college football despite signing NFL contracts over the offseason when they believed they wouldn’t be eligible to play for a college program in 2026.
Various federal and state courts have ruled that class of 2022 athletes are eligible to benefit from the NCAA’s new 5-in-5 policy, but conferences such as the SEC and Big Ten are now prohibiting the return of athletes who have signed with NFL, NBA or G-League teams this offseason.
This will presumably be contested in court by athletes and their attorneys, just as the NCAA’s initial ruling was. As of now, it impacts players like Jack Pyburn — a former LSU defensive player who has spent NFL preseason time with the Buccaneers — as well as numerous other athletes.
The 2026 college football season begins this weekend with Week 0 action.
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Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
