BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference implemented a new rule Tuesday prohibiting member schools from rostering former professional football and basketball players.

The new SEC policy bans players who have declared for the draft of, signed a contract with, or been listed on a roster in the NFL, NBA and WNBA, including any of their affiliate leagues. 

The ruling comes after the national spotlight was put on LSU football and basketball for recruiting multiple players who were previously on professional rosters. 

Former New Orleans Saint Zxavian Harris and former Cleveland Brown Dae'Quan Wright committed to LSU this week. Both played under new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss.

In May, former St. John's University, Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics player R.J. Luis committed to LSU basketball coach Will Wade. A day before the new policy, a Baton Rouge judge granted Luis a preliminary injunction, allowing him to play in the 2026-27 season.