The Big Ten is moving to slam the door on one of the strangest offseason twists in recent memory: players trying to leave the NFL and come back to college football.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Tuesday morning that the conference is set to approve a rule that would bar anyone from returning to a Big Ten school after declaring for the NFL Draft and not withdrawing, appearing on an NFL roster, or signing a contract with a pro league.
“Sources: The Big Ten is set to pass a rule today that doesn’t allow players to return from the NFL and play for a Big Ten school. Anyone who has declared for the NFL Draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league cannot be on a Big…,” Thamel wrote.
The timing matters because this all sits on top of the Class of 2022 eligibility mess. After the NCAA received a stay against the Colorado federal court ruling that had granted a fifth year of eligibility to all Class of 2022 athletes, players who had already started practicing with teams were immediately ruled ineligible. A Louisiana state-level case complicated things further, giving 16 athletes named as plaintiffs a temporary restraining order to return to college even though they had signed NFL contracts and, in some cases, were already in training camp.
For Illinois, the ripple effects are real.
Last week, Bret Bielema said the Illini had added tight end Peyton Smith and wide receiver Josh Lorick to help with depth after injuries hit during training camp. Both players transferred to Illinois during 2026 fall camp and neither signed NFL contracts after the 2025 season. Under the reversal, they were deemed ineligible, though the possibility remains that they could file their own cases or join a lawsuit like the one in Louisiana and be named plaintiffs.
Bielema also discussed the possibility of getting back two more Class of 2022 players who have already moved on to the NFL: offensive lineman Melvin Priestly and wide receiver Hank Beatty.
That now looks a lot tougher.
Priestly is with the Detroit Lions, while Beatty is with the Tennessee Titans. Even if one or both fail to make the 53-man roster, the Big Ten’s new rule would still leave no opening for them to return to a conference school.
Illinois would love to have those names back in the mix, but the path appears to be closing fast. For now, the Illini have to figure out who steps up instead.
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Bret Bielema has already shown interest in the possibility of bringing back graduated seniors Melvin Priestly and Hank Beatty if the eligibility situation allows it. The appeal is obvious for Illinois, which could use veteran help without having to lean entirely on younger players, but the process still depends on how these legal rulings are interpreted and applied. For now, it is another reminder that offseason roster building is no longer just about recruiting and development, but also about waiting on the next court decision. [Read more 🡒]
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Lucas Byrd Just Added Another Moment Illinois Fans Will Love
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Byrd has remained a familiar name in college wrestling as he pursues a fifth season at Illinois, which only adds to the connection fans feel to him. Between the championship pedigree, the viral moments that have followed the couple, and the celebration surrounding the wedding, Byrd continues to be one of those athletes whose accomplishments and personality keep him in the conversation well beyond the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]