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It took three days for the nation's four powerful athletic conferences to dig in on banning players who were on NFL rosters from returning to college football. The hope is it offers order amid the chaos growing through legal challenges and the pursuit of loopholes to NCAA eligibility rules.
The Atlantic Coast Conference joined its peers in the Big 12, Big Ten and Southeastern Conference on Thursday by approving a ban that also covers professional athletes seeking to return to college to play men's or women's college basketball. The Big Ten and SEC implemented their plans Tuesday, while the Big 12's ruling followed Wednesday.
In its statement, the ACC said its board of directors had unanimously adopted its resolution.
"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," the league said.
This all has been in response to a rule change passed by the NCAA 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.
Under the ACC resolution, a school is not permitted to include an individual on its football or men's or women's basketball roster when he or she:
More PSU lists
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Penn State junior running back James Peoples and redshirt senior wide receiver Chase Sowell were recently named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award list.
Peoples is a transfer from Ohio State who has rushed for 541 yards and five touchdowns in 22 career games. He also has 11 catches for 48 yards. Sowell is a transfer from Iowa State who owns 115 catches for 1,823 yards and six touchdowns in 36 career games.
The award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits characteristics such as integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity.
In other team news, redshirt linebacker Tony Rojas was named to the Hispanic College Football Player of the Year award watch list. This is the second year for the award. It was announced by the Hispanic College Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Pac-12 trying
The Pac-12 will be using an unusual "flex" schedule at the end of the season to boost its chances in the College Football Playoff.
No longer a Power Five conference, the Pac-12 aims to enhance its postseason opportunities.
Commissioner Teresa Gould says the schedule can be adjusted to benefit teams for bowl and CFP access. The flex schedule allows for high-profile rematches before the Pac-12 championship game. The goal is to increase the conference's chances of making the CFP.
Members include Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Utah State, Texas State and Fresno State.