The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has instituted a new policy that prohibits its member schools from including athletes who previously declared for a major professional draft—such as the NFL, NBA, or WNBA—unless they have signed a professional contract or appeared on a professional roster.
This decision follows a similar move by the Big Ten, which recently enacted restrictions aimed at preventing athletes with professional ties from returning to collegiate rosters. This change arises amidst a shifting legal landscape regarding college athlete eligibility.
Implications for Texas Lineman Cole Hutson
The SEC’s recent policy introduces uncertainty for Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson, who returned to the Longhorns after initially exhausting his eligibility. Hutson rejoined the team earlier this month after successfully challenging NCAA regulations to regain a fifth year of eligibility. His return was anticipated to strengthen an already formidable Longhorns offensive line.
Hutson, a seasoned player with four years of collegiate experience, participated in 48 games and made 23 starts across various positions on the line. Despite going undrafted in 2025, he attended rookie minicamps with both the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys but did not secure a professional contract with either franchise.
Uncertainty Over Retroactive Application
The SEC’s policy stipulates that institutions cannot roster any athlete who declared for a professional draft without formally withdrawing. However, the conference has yet to clarify whether this rule will be applied retroactively to athletes who have already rejoined their teams, such as Hutson.
Additionally, the new regulations may hinder LSU’s efforts to add former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who had an agreement to join the Tigers contingent on clearing waivers after being claimed and later released by Cleveland.
Legal Context and Enforcement
The enforcement of this policy will be overseen by the SEC commissioner, who has the authority to impose penalties on member institutions that fail to comply. This policy emerges in the context of ongoing legal challenges to NCAA eligibility standards.
Last week, a federal appeals court temporarily halted a broader ruling that would have permitted athletes who began their college careers in the 2022-23 season to return for a fifth year, while some athletes, including Wright, remain subject to separate state court rulings affecting their eligibility.
