The biggest debate in college football right now surrounds the return of professional athletes to college when their pro careers don't work out. These players typically have eligibility left and will use it to make a little bit more money in college since they either weren't ready or couldn't make it in the professional world. Lots of people are calling for the moral high ground and asking programs and conferences to make a stand on this. The Big Ten just voted to stop this from happening. If a player goes pro, they cannot return.
The problem is that there are real players caught up in this, like Wisconsin's Lance Mason. And as a general rule, players going pro shouldn't be able to return to college. It's silly to think that it would be even a question. However, what do you do about players like Mason and the 2022 class? They all ran out of eligibility and had no option but to leave for the professional leagues, or at least try to make it in the NFL/NBA or whatever. But now, there are ongoing lawsuits letting them return.
So, Lance Mason, who would have stayed at Wisconsin had he known he was eligible. The NFL was a bit of a long shot, but it was the only shot he had. There was no such thing as a fifth year of eligibility. Now, in some cases there is, but then the Big Ten said, no more. So, while it's a good rule, it hurts people who were forced into decisions.
Source tells @On3 this vote has now passed, banning players returning from the NFL to play at Big Ten schools.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) August 25, 2026
ADs were unanimous in support. https://t.co/in7GP6P1Uj https://t.co/TsfYBP5ePV
There are players caught in the cross-fire of the legal battles with the NCAA
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Mason may end up making the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, but he's definitely on the list of players who are projected to be cut. So, he is firmly in the cross-fire of this lawsuit, conference vote, and "moral high ground" agendas. Mason is a great example of a player not trying to cheat the system but never having another option. And now has even lost that option.
For the Badgers, maybe he wouldn't have come back anyway. It does seem like the tight end room is solid, and this late into camp, with a little over a week left before the start of the season, it's probably too late. The room has gelled, and it's showing signs of great depth with Grant Stec, Jacob Harris, Nizyi Davis, and others all leading the charge. There's not a ton of room for another.
Mason also may truly end up on a practice squad, as he was cut by the Seahawks but was immediately claimed by the Steelers. This shows that there's enough promise in the young rookie that there's potential and excitement for who he could become on the field. The big question will be which team will give him a shot, and how do the next couple of seasons go for his NFL dream?
It's all a mess, and there are real players caught in the middle of it all, and not all of them are trying to cheat the system.
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