Everybody is treating a conference rule like the end of this story. Here is what is getting skipped. Ross Dellenger reported that the language in that Louisiana order covers SEC rules too, because league bylaws are just a derivation of NCAA policy. And OutKick's read of the order goes further: a school that takes one of these protected athletes cannot be punished by the NCAA or by its conference. The order anticipated the bylaw. An attorney told Dellenger that enforcing a league rule would end up back in the same Louisiana courtroom, in front of the same judge, with the same result. And I want to be fair: writing the rule is still the right move, because a league that does nothing has no argument in court at all, and the calendar may do what the bylaw cannot - the season starts in eleven days and lawsuits are slow. But do not confuse a press release with a padlock.
The Big Ten moved this week on a rule barring anyone who declared for the NFL Draft, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a pro contract. The SEC's presidents and ADs have been in Birmingham. Ross Dellenger reports all four power leagues are set to consider the same rule.
Here is the part getting skipped. Dellenger reported last week that the language in the Louisiana order covers SEC rules too, because league bylaws are a derivation of NCAA policy. OutKick's read of the order goes further: a school that takes one of these protected athletes cannot be punished by the NCAA or by its conference.
An attorney told Dellenger that enforcing a conference bylaw would end up back in the same Louisiana courtroom, in front of the same judge, with the same result - and that these league rules may simply make the conferences the defendant instead of the NCAA.
The honest counterweight: writing the rule is still the right move. A league that does nothing has no argument at all when it gets to court, and the calendar may accomplish what the bylaw cannot, because the season starts in 11 days and lawsuits are slow.
Then later: Deuce Knight. A five-star on On3's board, the No. 6 quarterback in the 2025 class, who threw for 239 and ran for 162 with six total touchdowns in his only college start. Ole Miss signed him when Trinidad Chambliss's eligibility was in real doubt. How comfortable are you with him, 1 to 10? Tell us in the comments.
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