After an offseason dominated by debate over the importance of strength of schedule and how it's defined, the changing of the guard between the SEC and Big Ten, potential involvement from the federal government in collegiate athletics, and even more NIL (name, image and likeness) concerns, there's now a new controversy, just a few days before the season starts.Thanks to a series of cases making their way through the courts as a result of the NCAA adding a fifth year of eligibility, several players who ended their "amateur" careers and went to the NFL are now eligible to return to the college football ranks.NCAA ROCKED BY COLORADO JUDGE'S 2022 CLASS ELIGIBILITY RULING THAT COULD RESHAPE COLLEGE SPORTS THIS YEARImmediately, opportunistic coaches seized on the opportunity to add more physically developed and experienced players to their rosters.Led by new LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin.LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin speaks at SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Fla., on July 23, 2026.
(Getty Images)This has led to a flood of conference calls and meetings among major conferences as to the propriety of players who signed with NFL teams being allowed to play college football.One of the most prominent voices in the sport, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day, added his perspective, highlighting the push and pull of factors dominating discussion.LSU’S LANE KIFFIN FIRES BACK AT NFL RETURNEE BACKLASH: BLAME THE NCAA, NOT US FOR RECRUITING PRO ATHLETES"I told myself I would stop saying this is crazy," Day told the media earlier this week.
"So I’m not gonna say that.But to think that we’re in a situation where we’re this late in the season and our rosters are not locked in is frustrating at the very least.
But I’m not gonna sit here and keep saying that.So what does that mean for us? That’s the bottom line.
Well, I think, in my opinion, the conferences have to decide if there’s a point where their rosters have to be ...